November 1 2012
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Motshabi Hoaeane.

Making headlines:

State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele wants amendments to the Protection of State Information Bill reversed.

The African National Congress and white minority group Afriforum agree to silence the 'Shoot the Boer' anthem.

And, Zimbabwe says the International Monetary Fund’s move to ease its technical assistance restrictions can help it pay off huge debts.

State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele on Wednesday urged MPs to reverse several widely welcomed amendments to the Protection of State Information Bill. The minister's hawkish stance included a call for the reinsertion of a five-year prison sentence for those who disclosed classified information.

He also asked that the ad hoc committee processing the bill in the National Council of Provinces scrap a proposed blanket protection for people who published classified documents in order to expose a crime.

This would mean that whistle-blowers would only be spared prison time if the disclosure was sanctioned by the Protected Disclosures Act, the Companies Act and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

Cwele said that the Promotion of Access to Information Act, which allows for the disclosure of state secrets where public interest outweighs security concerns, could not be the final word on classified information.

South Africa's ruling African National Congress has pledged to stop its supporters singing the "Shoot the Boer" anti-apartheid anthem to avoid upsetting white farmers and stirring racial tension.

The agreement between the ANC and white-minority interest group Afriforum ends a two-year legal battle over the song. The song had ignited a debate about freedom of speech, censorship of history and efforts to mend the racist rifts in South African society.

An ANC appeal against that ruling was due to start in the Supreme Court on Thursday. Instead, the two sides agreed to sit down and reach a deal rather than ask the courts to decide on a topic as thorny as "banning" a song known to nearly every adult black South African.

Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Tendai Biti said on Wednesday that easing of the International Monetary Fund (or IMF) restrictions on Zimbabwe should help it to clear its mountain of defaulted debt and pave the way for foreign investment.

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday relaxed restrictions on technical assistance to Zimbabwe. This is seen as a major step towards normalising relations with the destitute southern African country.

Zimbabwe's voting rights in the IMF were suspended in 2003 over arrears and policy differences with President Robert Mugabe's government. Voting rights were restored in 2010, allowing Zimbabwe to again participate in IMF decision-making.

Biti saw the move as allowing Zimbabwe to work on its programme to reduce debt owed to global creditors, including the IMF and World Bank.

Also making headlines:

The United Nations Security Council resists African calls to end Somalia’s arms embargo.

ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa says the ruling party’s process of electing leaders should be open.

And, Transnet delays its big locomotive bid process in order to settle localisation details.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today.