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The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, will tomorrow (19 February 2004) present Film and Publications Amendment Bill in Parliament, which will make child pornography a matter for law-enforcement authorities and not a matter for classification committees of the Board.

The Film and Publications Bill's aim is to make provision for prohibition of child pornography and for matters incidental to the more effective investigation and prosecution of child pornography offenders.

The Bill also seeks to -

• Substitute the definition of child pornography as the current definition is limited to images and the display of genitals.
• Bring Internet service providers within its jurisdiction in so far as child pornography is concerned.
• Impose an obligation on persons who have materials, which are potentially disturbing and harmful to children to take reasonable steps to prevent access to such materials by children.
• Address the problems of child pornography on the Internet by bringing Internet service providers within the jurisdiction of the Act.
• Increase the maximum prison sentence for the offences involving child pornography from 5 to 10 years.

The Minister will also present a Citizenship Second Amendment Bill, which aims at bringing the usage of dual citizenship in consistency with the Constitution.

Communications Directorate
Head Communications: Leslie Mashokwe
Cell: 082 809 6547

Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
18 February 2004