We would like to reiterate that the government has no intention whatsoever to muzzle the media in any way, and that this position will not change.

— Government spokesman Themba Maseko, speaking after the Cabinet approved the draft Films and Publications Amendment Bill, which would require media organisations to submit all articles to a censorship board before publication or broadcasting.

Well, we’d like to believe him, but considering the content of the bill it’s clear he’s just spouting A-Grade bullshit. There is absolutely no possible reason to draft this bill unless the intention is to invoke some level of censorship over the media’s reporting, despite the government’s bizarre claims about it being a move to prevent child pornography. Just how stupid do they think we are?