Cape Town, South Africa - The ruling African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa on Monday put the 'controversial' Secrecy Bill on hold, but denied it did so as a result of deep divisions within its ranks, according to ANC Chief Whip Mathole Motshekga.

Motshekga announced the decision just hours before MPs were scheduled to vote on the Protection of State Information Bill, which would have criminalised whistle-blowing based on classified information.

The decision was endorsed at a special meeting of the ANC caucus in Cape Town after the party's national executive committee discussed the pending legislation.

However, Motshekga insisted that the Bill would still be implemented at the later date once the ANC had held further discussions with other political parties.

'The question of scrapping the Bill does not arise because we are satisfied with the draft that has been produced. All we are saying is that there are some people who want to give further input. As a democratic organisation, we have agreed to allow that,' Motshekga said.

The SA National Editors' Forum (Sanef) said it is “delighted by the decision”.

Nic Dawes, Sanef media freedom chairman, said that the Bill would not have been delayed if it weren't for the opposition it met.

Pana 20/09/2011