Activists and journalists in South Africa are protesting against a controversial new bill that provides for prison sentences of up to 25 years for anyone found in possession of classified government documents.<br /><br />The African National Congress, the country's ruling party, says the law is necessary to safeguard state secrets and national security. <br /><br />Opponents contend that the so-called secrecy law makes it difficult for citizens to hold their politicians accountable - as those accused of breaking it will not be able to defend themselves by saying that they were acting in the public interest. <br /><br />For many, the new law brings back memories of South Africa's restrictive laws on reporting that were overturned when the country became a democracy in 1994.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa reports from Cape Town.
