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Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000)

Notices

Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) Manual

Foreword

 

Section 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution) grants everyone the right of access to any information held by the state or by another person and that is required for the exercise or protection of any right.

 

The Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000) (PAIA), in realisation of these constitutional rights, specifically—

 

• charges all public bodies with the responsibility to facilitate public access to information/record(s) under their custody;
• provides a framework and procedures for the public to exercise their constitutional right to information as swiftly, inexpensively and effortlessly as reasonably possible;
• stipulates mechanisms which governmental bodies must put in place, to facilitate access to such information by members of the public; and
• outlines conditions under which restricted access apply, including those relating to personal, commercial, financial, technical or scientific information about a third party; information which may affect court or police proceedings, e.g., police dockets in bail proceedings and certain categories of information about the South African Revenue Service.

 

There are undoubtedly limitations to public realisation of the rights as stipulated in section 36 of the Constitution and sections 33 to 45 of the PAIA Act, respectively.

 

In compliance with the statutory requirements of the PAIA and to contribute to the promotion of departmental transparency, accountability and effective governance, the Department of Human Settlements has produced a manual as a mechanism to facilitate public access to information/record(s) under its custody.

 

It is hoped that this manual will serve as an effective platform/tool for providing the public with the relevant information to enable them to exercise their right of access to information under the custody of the Department.

 

 

MS Tshangana

Director-General

Department of Human Settlements

Date: 16 September 2020