South African National Assembly on Tuesday approved a law that has been criticized as a threat to press freedom and the fight against corruption.

Members of Parliament approved a draft law on data protection by the State 229-107, with two abstentions. The measure now goes to the National Council of Provinces for approval, and many groups are already preparing for the constitutionality of the courts.

Protesters dressed in black gathered in several cities before the vote, while the headlines screamed “black day for freedom of the press” and the media have declared today “Black Tuesday” – a reference to what is known as the “Black Wednesday” in 1977 when the apartheid government in the country has banned two newspapers and several anti-apartheid groups.

The law makes the acquisition, transfer, or loss of classified information was punishable by imprisonment of up to 25 years. It also provides that all federal and local classification of a secret document. Without the clause, the interest of the public’s right of defense, some fear it could criminalize investigative journalism.

“In its current form, the bill is an attack against the principles of open democracy is deeply rooted in our Constitution and our national life,” an editorial in The Star read.

In the statement after the vote, ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said that the law “has nothing to do with the silence of the press and the right to freedom of expression.”

“There was a strong opposition (to measure), because it contains a clause in the public interest, but if it had been included, would have wiped out the whole law,” said Khoza. “If people want to have legitimate information, you may access through access to information.”

This action, Khoza said, not cancel the law on state secrets.

“If you can be in the public interest and shall not affect the function of the state after the information is accessible,” he said.

“This legislation is important for the country. It provides for the classification of confidential information by the arm of state security. We believe that no country has the right to withhold information about the status of classified information and classified population, including information considered confidential, “said Khoza.

Nobel laureates Nadine Gordimer and Desmond Tutu are among the leading critics of the bill. Gordimer, anti-apartheid activist and personal friend of former President Nelson Mandela, accused the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa after apartheid take.

“People have fought and died for the opportunity of a better life, which is ruined and tainted by corruption,” he said.

Amnesty International said in a statement before the measure passed by the National Assembly, said he would consider journalists and whistleblowers arrested under the law as “prisoners of conscience.”

“This legislation is fundamentally flawed, which is quite contrary to the Constitution of South Africa, brings us back to the time restrictions of apartheid to freedom of expression,” said Noel Kututwa, deputy director of the Africa Amnesty International said in a press release Monday.

Speaking to the media the day before the vote, former Finance Minister and current Minister of National Planning, Trevor Manuel, has defended the law.

“No country in the world with your business without secrets. Do not understand why there is an expectation in the minds of some people in the media behave like silly clowns in South Africa. We have the responsibility of governing this country and we ask renounce this responsibility, “he said.

Critics say there is a good deal of corruption in South Africa. Recently, two ministers were sacked and the country’s police chief has been suspended, accused of embezzling millions of dollars. His actions were exposed by the media.

“A public interest clause is essential to ensure that the project does not become an instrument to remove the information that can reveal errors,” editorial in The Star

And in what is called a taste of what is to come under the Act, a spokesman for the President, Mac Maharaj has filed charges against two investigative journalists who work for the Weekly Mail & Guardian. The newspaper claims to have uncovered evidence that billions Maharaj illegally benefited from the country’s arms purchase contract dollars, but he said he could not disclose information after Maharaj threatened legal action against the newspaper, who claimed to obtain information illegally. The Mail & Guardian published a story with a “censored” banner on the homepage and black details, he says, is evidence of wrongdoing.

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