WHEREAS the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, provides that all spheres of government and all organs of state must secure the well-being of the people of the Republic;

AND WHEREAS the Constitution of the Republic provides for the right of access to information, subject to the limitations provided for in section 36 of the Constitution;

AND WHEREAS the protection of critical infrastructure is essential for public safety, national security and the continuous provision of basic public services;

AND WHEREAS it is necessary to put in place adequate measures to identify and protect critical infrastructure and the implementation of those measures in order to secure critical infrastructure;

MINDFUL of the need to follow objective criteria with regard to the identification and declaration of critical infrastructure;

AND FURTHER MINDFUL of the need for the roles, responsibilities and accountability of parties with regard to the protection of critical infrastructure to be defined and for the enhancement of public confidence and awareness in respect of the protection of critical infrastructure;

AND REALISING the need to enhance cooperation between Government and the private sector with regard to the protection of critical infrastructure in the interests of the Republic,

PARLIAMENT of the Republic of South Africa therefore enacts as follows:—