Source: http://irodo.com/ms/SALabourlegislation/Promotion%20to%20Access%20to%20Information%20act,%20200.htm
Timestamp: 2019-08-23 21:18:29
Document Index: 88304801

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty\n43', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'arts 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2']

Promotion to Access to Information act, 2 of 2000
[DATE OF COMMENCEMENT: 9 MARCH 2001]
· the system of government in South Africa before 27 April 1994, amongst others, resulted in a secretive and unresponsive culture in public and private bodies which often led to an abuse of power and human rights violations;
· section 8 of the Constitution provides for the horizontal application of the rights in the Bill of Rights to juristic persons to the extent required by the nature of the rights and the nature of those juristic persons;
· section 32 (1) (a) of the Constitution provides that everyone has the right of access to any information held by the State;
· section 32 (1) (b) of the Constitution provides for the horizontal application of the right of access to information held by another person to everyone when that information is required for the exercise or protection of any rights;
· and national legislation must be enacted to give effect to this right in section 32 of the Constitution;
· the State must respect, protect, promote and fulfil, at least, all the rights in the Bill of Rights which is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa;
· the right of access to any information held by a public or private body may be limited to the extent that the limitations are reasonable and justifiable in an open and democratic society based on human dignity, equality and freedom as contemplated in section 36 of the Constitution;
· reasonable legislative measures may, in terms of section 32 (2) of the Constitution, be provided to alleviate the administrative and financial burden on the State in giving effect to its obligation to promote and fulfil the right of access to information;
· foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public and private bodies by giving effect to the right of access to information;
· actively promote a society in which the people of South Africa have effective access to information to enable them to more fully exercise and protect all of their rights,
[S. 7 amended by s. 20 of Act 42 of 2001.]
37. Mandatory protection of certain confidential information, and protection of certain other confidential information, of third party
43. Mandatory protection of research information of third party, and protection of research information of public body
45. Manifestly frivolous or vexatious requests, or substantial and unreasonable diversion of resources
69. Mandatory protection of research information of third party, and protection of research information of private body
88. Correction of personal information
‘access fee’ means a fee prescribed for the purposes of section 22 (6) or 54 (6), as the case may be;
‘application’ means an application to a court in terms of section 78;
(ii) a Magistrate’s Court, either generally or in respect of a specified class of decisions in terms of this Act, designated by the Minister, by notice in the Gazette, and presided over by a magistrate designated in writing by the Minister, after consultation with the Magistrates Commission, within whose area of jurisdiction-
(aa) the decision of the information officer or relevant authority of a public body or the head of a private body has been taken;
(bb) the public body or private body concerned has its principal place of administration or business; or
(cc) the requester or third party concerned is domiciled or ordinarily resident;
‘evaluative material’ means an evaluation or opinion prepared for the purpose of determining-
(a) the suitability, eligibility or qualifications of the person to whom or which the evaluation or opinion relates-
(iv) for the awarding of a scholarship, award, bursary, honour or similar benefit; or
(b) whether any scholarship, award, bursary, honour or similar benefit should be continued, modified, cancelled or renewed;
‘health practitioner’ means an individual who carries on, and is registered in terms of legislation to carry on, an occupation which involves the provision of care or treatment for the physical or mental health or for the well-being of individuals;
‘Human Rights Commission’ means the South African Human Rights Commission referred to in section 181 (1) (b) of the Constitution;
‘individual’s next of kin’ means-
(a) an individual to whom the individual was married immediately before the individual’s death;
(b) an individual with whom the individual lived as if they were married immediately before the individual’s death;
(c) a parent, child, brother or sister of the individual; or
(i) there is no next of kin referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c); or
(ii) the requester concerned took all reasonable steps to locate such next of kin, but was unsuccessful,
‘information officer’ of, or in relation to, a public body-
(a) in the case of a national department, provincial administration or organisational component-
(i) mentioned in Column 1 of Schedule 1 or 3 to the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation 103 of 1994), means the officer who is the incumbent of the post bearing the designation mentioned in Column 2 of the said Schedule 1 or 3 opposite the name of the relevant national department, provincial administration or organisational component or the person who is acting as such; or
(ii) not so mentioned, means the Director-General, head, executive director or equivalent officer, respectively, of that national department, provincial administration or organisational component, respectively, or the person who is acting as such;
(b) in the case of a municipality, means the municipal manager appointed in terms of section 82 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (Act 117 of 1998), or the person who is acting as such; or
‘internal appeal’ means an internal appeal to the relevant authority in terms of section 74;
‘international organisation’ means an international organisation-
(a) of states; or
(b) established by the governments of states;
‘notice’ means notice in writing, and ‘notify’ and ‘notified’ have corresponding meanings;
‘objects of this Act’ means the objects of this Act referred to in section 9;
‘official’, in relation to a public or private body, means-
(a) any person in the employ (permanently or temporarily and full-time or part-time) of the public or private body, as the case may be, including the head of the body, in his or her capacity as such; or
(b) a member of the public or private body, in his or her capacity as such;
‘person’ means a natural person or a juristic person;
‘personal information’ means information about an identifiable individual, including, but not limited to-
‘personal requester’ means a requester seeking access to a record containing personal information about the requester;
‘prescribed’ means prescribed by regulation in terms of section 92;
‘public safety or environmental risk’ means harm or risk to the environment or the public (including individuals in their workplace) associated with-
(a) a product or service which is available to the public;
(b) a substance released into the environment, including, but not limited to, the workplace;
(c) a substance intended for human or animal consumption;
(d) a means of public transport; or
(e) an installation or manufacturing process or substance which is used in that installation or process;
‘record’ of, or in relation to, a public or private body, means any recorded information-
(c) whether or not it was created by that public or private body, respectively;
‘relevant authority’, in relation to-
(a) a public body referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of ‘public body’ in the national sphere of government, means-
(i) in the case of the Office of the Presidency, the person designated in writing by the President; or
(ii) in any other case, the Minister responsible for that public body or the person designated in writing by that Minister;
(b) a public body referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of ‘public body’ in the provincial sphere of government, means-
(i) in the case of the Office of a Premier, the person designated in writing by the Premier; or
(ii) in any other case, the member of the Executive Council responsible for that public body or the person designated in writing by that member; or
(c) a municipality, means-
(ii) the speaker; or
‘request for access’, in relation to-
(a) a public body, means a request for access to a record of a public body in terms of section 11; or
(b) a private body, means a request for access to a record of a private body in terms of section 50;
‘requester’, in relation to-
(i) any person (other than a public body contemplated in paragraph (a) or (b) (i) of the definition of ‘public body’, or an official thereof) making a request for access to a record of that public body; or
(ii) a person acting on behalf of the person referred to in subparagraph (i);
‘subversive or hostile activities’ means-
‘third party’, in relation to a request for access to-
(a) a record of a public body, means any person (including, but not limited to, the government of a foreign state, an international organisation or an organ of that government or organisation) other than-
(i) the requester concerned; and
(ii) a public body; or
(b) a record of a private body, means any person (including, but not limited to, a public body) other than the requester,
‘this Act’ includes any regulation made and in force in terms of section 92;
‘transfer’, in relation to a record, means transfer in terms of section 20 (1) or (2), and ‘transferred’ has a corresponding meaning;
‘working days’ means any days other than Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, as defined in section 1 of the Public Holidays Act, 1994 (Act 36 of 1994).
(1) When interpreting a provision of this Act, every court must prefer any reasonable interpretation of the provision that is consistent with the objects of this Act over any alternative interpretation that is inconsistent with those objects.
(2) Section 12 must not be construed as excluding-
(3) For the purposes of this Act, the South African Revenue Service, established by section 2 of the South African Revenue Service Act, 1997 (Act 34 of 1997), and referred to in section 35 (1), is a public body.
GENERAL APPLICATION PROVISIONS (ss 3-8)
(a) a record of a public body; and
(b) a record of a private body,
(a) an official of a public body or private body in his or her capacity as such; or
(b) an independent contractor engaged by a public body or private body in the capacity as such contractor,
(b) is materially inconsistent with an object, or a specific provision, of this Act.
(a) a record of a public body in terms of any legislation referred to in Part 1 of the Schedule; or
(b) a record of a private body in terms of any legislation referred to in Part 2 of the Schedule.
(1) This Act does not apply to a record of a public body or a private body if-
(b) so requested after the commencement of such criminal or civil proceedings, as the case may be; and
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a public body referred to in paragraph (b) (ii) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1, or a private body-
(a) may be either a public body or a private body in relation to a record of that body; and
(2) A request for access to a record held for the purpose or with regard to the exercise of a power or the performance of a function-
(a) as a public body, must be made in terms of section 11; or
(b) as a private body, must be made in terms of section 50.
(3) The provisions of Parts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 apply to a request for access to a record that relates to a power or function exercised or performed as a public body.
(a) to give effect to the constitutional right of access to-
(b) to give effect to that right-
(c) to give effect to the constitutional obligations of the State of promoting a human rights culture and social justice, by including public bodies in the definition of ‘requester’, allowing them, amongst others, to access information from private bodies upon compliance with the four requirements in this Act, including an additional obligation for certain public bodies in certain instances to act in the public interest;
(e) generally, to promote transparency, accountability and effective governance of all public and private bodies by, including, but not limited to, empowering and educating everyone-
(1) The Human Rights Commission must, within 18 months after the commencement of this section, compile in each official language a guide containing such information, in an easily comprehensible form and manner, as may reasonably be required by a person who wishes to exercise any right contemplated in this Act.
(2) The guide must, without limiting the generality of subsection (1), include a description of-
(b) the postal and street address, phone and fax number and, if available, electronic mail address of-
(i) the information officer of every public body, and
(ii) every deputy information officer of every public body designated in terms of section 17 (1);
(c) such particulars of every private body as are practicable:
(d) the manner and form of a request for-
(g) all remedies in law available regarding an act or failure to act in respect of a right or duty conferred or imposed by this Act, including the manner of lodging-
(h) the provisions of sections 14 and 51 requiring a public body and private body, respectively, to compile a manual, and how to obtain access to a manual;
(i) the provisions of sections 15 and 52 providing for the voluntary disclosure of categories of records by a public body and private body, respectively;
ACCESS TO RECORDS OF PUBLIC BODIES (ss 11-49)
(1) A requester must be given access to a record of a public body if-
(b) access to that record is not refused in terms of any ground for refusal contemplated in Chapter 4 of this Part.
(3) A requester’s right of access contemplated in subsection (1) is, subject to this Act, not affected by-
(b) the information officer’s belief as to what the requester’s reasons are for requesting access.
This Act does not apply to a record -
(a) of the Cabinet and its committees;
(b) relating to the judicial functions of-
(ii) a Special Tribunal established in terms of section 2 of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act 74 of 1996); or
(c) of an individual member of Parliament or of a provincial legislature in that capacity.
[S. 12 substituted by s. 25 of Act 42 of 2001.]
For the purpose of this Act, the Minister may, on his or her own accord or on the request of the relevant public body or bodies or a body referred to in paragraph (c), by notice in the Gazette-
(a) determine that a public body is to be regarded as part of another public body;
(b) determine that a category of public bodies is to be regarded as one public body with such information officer as the Minister designates; and
(c) if there is doubt as to whether a body is a separate public body or forms part of a public body, determine that the body-
(i) is a separate public body; or
(ii) forms part of a public body.
(1) Within six months after the commencement of this section or the coming into existence of a public body, the information officer of the public body concerned must compile in at least three official languages a manual containing-
(b) the postal and street address, phone and fax number and, if available, electronic mail address of the information officer of the body and of every deputy information officer of the body designated in terms of section 17 (1);
(e) the latest notice, in terms of section 15 (2), if any, regarding the categories of records of the body which are available without a person having to request access in terms of this Act;
(g) a description of any arrangement or provision for a person (other than a public body referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) (i) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1) by consultation, making representations or otherwise, to participate in or influence-
(ii) the exercise of powers or performance of duties,
(4) (a) If the functions of two or more public bodies are closely connected, the Minister may on request or of his or her own accord determine that the two or more bodies compile one manual only.
(1) The information officer of a public body, referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) (i) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1, must, on a periodic basis not less frequently than once each year, submit to the Minister a description of-
(a) the categories of records of the public body that are automatically available without a person having to request access in terms of this Act, including such categories available-
(i) for inspection in terms of legislation other than this Act;
(ii) for purchase or copying from the body; and
(iii) from the body free of charge; and
(b) how to obtain access to such records.
(2) On a periodic basis not less frequently than once each year and at the cost of the relevant public body, the Minister must, by notice in the Gazette-
(a) publish every description submitted in terms of subsection (1); or
(b) update every description so published,
(4) The information officer of a public body may delete any part of a record contemplated in subsection (1) (a) which, on a request for access, may or must be refused in terms of Chapter 4 of this Part.
(6) Any delegation in terms of subsection (3)-
(1) A request for access must be made in the prescribed form to the information officer of the public body concerned at his or her address or fax number or electronic mail address.
(2) The form for a request of access prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) must at least require the requester concerned-
(a) to provide sufficient particulars to enable an official of the public body concerned to identify-
(b) to indicate which applicable form of access referred to in section 29 (2) is required;
(e) if, in addition to a written reply, the requester wishes to be informed of the decision on the request in any other manner, to state that manner and the necessary particulars to be so informed; and
(f) if the request is made on behalf of a person, to submit proof of the capacity in which the requester is making the request, to the reasonable satisfaction of the information officer.
(3) (a) An individual who because of illiteracy or a disability is unable to make a request for access to a record of a public body in accordance with subsection (1), may make that request orally.
(1) If a requester informs the information officer of-
(b) a public body (other than a public body referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) (i) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1) that he or she wishes to make a request for access to a record of another public body,
(2) If a requester has made a request for access that does not comply with section 18 (1), the information officer concerned may not refuse the request because of that non-compliance unless the information officer has-
(a) notified that requester of an intention to refuse the request and stated in the notice-
(d) given the requester a reasonable opportunity to confirm the request or alter it to comply with section 18 (1).
(3) When computing any period referred to in section 25 (1), the period commencing on the date on which notice is given in terms of subsection (2) and ending on the date on which the person confirms or alters the request for access concerned must be disregarded.
(4) If it is apparent on receipt of a request for access that it should have been made to another public body, the information officer of the public body concerned must-
(1) If a request for access is made to the information officer of a public body in respect of which-
(i) transfer the request to the information officer of the other public body or, if there is in the case of paragraph © more than one other public body having a commercial interest, the other public body with the greatest commercial interest; and
(2) If a request for access is made to the information officer of a public body in respect of which-
(c) the record-
(4) If a request for access is transferred, any period referred to in section 25 (1) must be computed from the date the request is received by the information officer to whom the request is transferred.
(5) Upon the transfer of a request for access, the information officer making the transfer must immediately notify the requester of-
(a) the periods for lodging an internal appeal, an application with a court or an appeal against a decision of that court have expired; or
(b) that internal appeal, application or appeal against a decision of that court or other legal proceedings in connection with the request has been finally determined,
(1) The information officer of a public body to whom a request for access is made, must by notice require the requester, other than a personal requester, to pay the prescribed request fee (if any), before further processing the request.
(a) the search for a record of a public body in respect of which a request for access by a requester, other than a personal requester, has been made; and
(b) the preparation of the record for disclosure (including any arrangements contemplated in section 29 (2) (a) and (b) (i) and (ii) (aa),
(3) The notice referred to in subsection (1) or (2) must state-
(b) that the requester may lodge an internal appeal or an application with a court, as the case may be, against the tender or payment of the request fee in terms of subsection (1), or the tender or payment of a deposit in terms of subsection (2), as the case may be; and
(6) A requester whose request for access to a record of a public body has been granted must pay an access fee for reproduction and for search and preparation contemplated in subsection (7) (a) and (b), respectively, for any time reasonably required in excess of the prescribed hours to search for and prepare (including making any arrangements contemplated in section 29 (2) (a) and (b) (i) and (ii) (aa)) the record for disclosure.
(7) Access fees prescribed for the purposes of subsection (6) must provide for a reasonable access fee for-
(a) the cost of making a copy of a record, or of a transcription of the content of a record, as contemplated in section 29 (2) (a) and (b) (i), (ii) (bb), (iii) and (v) and, if applicable, the postal fee; and
(b) the time reasonably required to search for the record and prepare (including making any arrangements contemplated in section 29 (2) (a) and (b) (i) and (ii) (aa)) the record for disclosure to the requester.
(8) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette-
(a) all reasonable steps have been taken to find a record requested; and
(b) there are reasonable grounds for believing that the record-
(i) is in the public body’s possession but cannot be found; or
(1) If the information officer of a public body decides to grant a request for access to a record, but that record-
(a) is to be published within 90 days after the receipt or transfer of the request or such further period as is reasonably necessary for printing and translating the record for the purpose of publishing it;
(b) is required by law to be published but is yet to be published; or
(c) has been prepared for submission to any legislature or a particular person but is yet to be submitted,
(2) If access to a record is deferred in terms of subsection (1), the information officer must notify the requester concerned-
(a) that the requester may, within 30 days after that notice is given, make representations to the information officer why the record is required before such publication or submission; and
(3) If a requester makes representations in terms of subsection (2) (a), the information officer must, after due consideration of those representations, grant the request for access only if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the requester will suffer substantial prejudice if access to the record is deferred for the likely period referred to in subsection (2) (b).
(1) Except if the provisions regarding third party notification and intervention contemplated in Chapter 5 of theis Part apply, the information officer to whom the request is made or transferred, must, as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 30 days, after the request is received-
(b) notify the requester of the decision and, if the requester stated, as contemplated in section 18 (2) (e), that he or she wishes to be informed of the decision in any other manner, inform him or her in that manner if it is reasonably possible.
(2) If the request for access is granted, the notice in terms of subsection (1) (b) must state-
(a) the access fee (if any) to be paid upon access;
(b) the form in which access will be given; and
(c) that the requester may lodge an internal appeal or an application with a court, as the case may be, against the access fee to be paid or the form of access granted, and the procedure (including the period) for lodging the internal appeal or application, as the case may be.
(3) If the request for access is refused, the notice in terms of subsection (1) (b) must-
(c) state that the requester may lodge an internal appeal or an application with a court, as the case may be, against the refusal of the request, and the procedure (including the period) for lodging the internal appeal or application, as the case may be.
(1) The information officer to whom a request for access has been made or transferred, may extend the period of 30 days referred to in section 25 (1) (in this section referred to as the ‘original period’) once for a further period of not more than 30 days, if-
(3) The notice in terms of subsection (2) must state-
(1) If a request for access is made to a record of a public body containing information which may or must be refused in terms of any provision of Chapter 4 of this Part, every part of the record which-
(2) If a request for access to-
(1) If a requester has been given notice in terms of section 25 (1) that his or her request for access has been granted, that requester must, subject to subsections (3) and (9) and section 31-
(b) if the record is not in written or printed form-
(ii) in the case of a record in which words or information are recorded in such manner that they are capable of being reproduced in the form of sound by equipment which is ordinarily available to the public body concerned-
(iii) in the case of a record which is held on computer, or in electronic or machine-readable form, and from which the public body concerned is capable of producing a printed copy of-
(3) If a requester has requested access in a particular form, access must, subject to section 28, be given in that form, unless to do so would-
(7) If a record is made available in terms of this section to a requester for inspection, viewing or hearing, the requester may make copies of or transcribe the record using the requester’s equipment, unless to do so would-
(1) If the information officer who grants, in terms of section 11, a request for access to a record provided by a health practitioner in his or her capacity as such about the physical or mental health, or well-being-
(a) of the requester; or
(b) if the request has been made on behalf of the person to whom the record relates, of that person,
(in this section, the requester and person referred to paragraphs (a) and (b), respectively, are referred to as the ‘relevant person’), is of the opinion that the disclosure of the record to the relevant person might cause serious harm to his or her physical or mental health, or well-being, the information officer may, before giving access in terms of section 29, consult with a health practitioner who, subject to subsection (2), has been nominated by the relevant person.
(2) If the relevant person is-
(a) under the age of 16 years, a person having parental responsibilities for the relevant person must make the nomination contemplated in subsection (1); or
(b) incapable of managing his or her affairs, a person appointed by the court to manage those affairs must make that nomination.
(3) (a) If, after being given access to the record concerned, the health practitioner consulted in terms of subsection (1) is of the opinion that the disclosure of the record to the relevant person would be likely to cause serious harm to his or her physical or mental health, or well-being, the information officer may only give access to the record if the requester proves to the satisfaction of the information officer that adequate provision is made for such counselling or arrangements as are reasonably practicable before, during or after the disclosure of the record to limit, alleviate or avoid such harm to the relevant person.
(a) exists in the language that the requester prefers, be given access in that language; or
(b) does not exist in the language so preferred or the requester has no preference or has not indicated a preference, be given access in any language the record exists in.
(d) the number of requests for access refused in full and refused partially and the number of times each provision of this Act was relied on to refuse access in full or partial;
(e) the number of cases in which the periods stipulated in section 25 (1) were extended in terms of section 26 (1);
(f) the number of internal appeals lodged with the relevant authority and the number of cases in which, as a result of an internal appeal, access was given to a record;
(g) the number of internal appeals which were lodged on the ground that a request for access was regarded as having been refused in terms of section 27;
(h) the number of applications to a court which were lodged on the ground that an internal appeal was regarded as having been dismissed in terms of section 77 (7); and
(a) must refuse a request for access to a record contemplated in section 34 (1), 35 (1), 36 (1), 37 (1) (a), 38 (a), 39 (1) (a), 40 or 43 (1); or
(b) may refuse a request for access to a record contemplated in section 37 (1) (b), 38 (b), 39 (1) (b), 41 (1) (a) or (b), 42 (1) or (3), 43 (2), 44 (1) or (2) or 45,
(2) A provision of this Chapter in terms of which a request for access to a record must or may or may not be refused, may not be construed as-
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the information officer of a public body must refuse a request for access to a record of the body if its disclosure would involve the unreasonable disclosure of personal information about a third party, including a deceased individual.
(2) A record may not be refused in terms of subsection (1) insofar as it consists of information-
(a) about an individual who has consented in terms of section 48 or otherwise in writing to its disclosure to the requester concerned;
(b) that was given to the public body by the individual to whom it relates and the individual was informed by or on behalf of the public body, before it is given, that the information belongs to a class of information that would or might be made available to the public;
(c) already publicly available;
(d) about an individual’s physical or mental health, or well-being, who is under the care of the requester and who is-
(ii) incapable of understanding the nature of the request,
(e) about an individual who is deceased and the requester is-
(i) the individual’s next of kin; or
(ii) making the request with the written consent of the individual’s next of kin; or
(f) about an individual who is or was an official of a public body and which relates to the position or functions of the individual, including, but not limited to-
(i) the fact that the individual is or was an official of that public body;
(iii) the classification, salary scale, remuneration and responsibilities of the position held or services performed by the individual; and
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the information officer of the South African Revenue Service, referred to in section 2 (3), must refuse a request for access to a record of that Service if it contains information which was obtained or is held by that Service for the purposes of enforcing legislation concerning the collection of revenue as defined in section 1 of the South African Revenue Service Act, 1997 (Act 34 of 1997).
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the information officer of a public body must refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record contains-
(c) information supplied in confidence by a third party the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected-
(b) about a third party who has consented in terms of section 48 or otherwise in writing to its disclosure to the requester concerned; or
(c) about the results of any product or environmental testing or other investigation supplied by a third party or the result of any such testing or investigation carried out by or on behalf of a third party and its disclosure would reveal a serious public safety or environmental risk.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) ©, the results of any product or environmental testing or other investigation do not include the results of preliminary testing or other investigation conducted for the purpose of developing methods of testing or other investigation.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the information officer of a public body-
(b) may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record consists of information that was supplied in confidence by a third party-
(b) about the third party concerned that has consented in terms of section 48 or otherwise in writing to its disclosure to the requester concerned.
(b) may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or impair-
(i) the security of-
(ii) methods, systems, plans or procedures for the protection of-
(cc) the security of property contemplated in subparagraph (i) (aa), (bb) or (cc).
(a) must refuse a request for access to a record of the body if access to that record is prohibited in terms of section 60 (14) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act 51 of 1977); or
(i) the record contains methods, techniques, procedures or guidelines for-
(ii) the prosecution of an alleged offender is being prepared or about to commence or pending and the disclosure of the record could reasonably be expected-
(2) A record may not be refused in terms of subsection (1) (b) (iii) (dd) insofar as it consists of information about the general conditions of detention of persons in custody.
(3) (a) If a request for access to a record of a public body must or may be refused in terms of subsection (1) (a) or (b), or could, if it existed, be so refused, and the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would be likely to cause the harm contemplated in subsection (1) (a) or (b), the information officer concerned may refuse to confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of the record.
(b) If the information officer so refuses to confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of the record, the notice referred to in section 25 (3) must-
(i) state that fact,
(ii) identify the provision of subsection (1) (a) or (b) in terms of which access would have been refused if the record had existed;
(iii) state adequate reasons for the refusal, as required by section 25 (3), in so far as they can be given without causing the harm contemplated in subsection (1) (a) or (b); and
(iv) state that the requester concerned may lodge an internal appeal or an application with a court, as the case may be, against the refusal as required by section 25 (3).
(1) The information officer of a public body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if its disclosure-
(a) could reasonably be expected to cause prejudice to-
(i) the defence of the Republic:
(b) would reveal information-
(2) A record contemplated in subsection (1), without limiting the generality of that subsection, includes a record containing information-
(b) relating to the quantity, characteristics, capabilities, vulnerabilities or deployment of
(c) relating to the characteristics, capabilities, vulnerabilities, performance, potential, deployment or functions of-
(d) held for the purpose of intelligence relating to-
(3) A record may not be refused in terms of subsection (1) (a) (iii) if it came into existence more than 20 years before the request.
(4) (a) If a request for access to a record of a public body may be refused in terms of subsection (1), or could, if it existed, be so refused, and the disclosure of the existence or non-existence of the record would be likely to cause the harm contemplated in subsection (1), the information officer concerned may refuse to confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of the record.
(iii) state adequate reasons for the refusal, as required by section 25 (3), in so far as they can be given without causing the harm contemplated in subsection (1); and
(iv) state that the requester may lodge an internal appeal or an application with a court, as the case may be, against the refusal as required by section 25 (3).
(1) The information officer of a public body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if its disclosure would be likely to materially jeopardise the economic interests or financial welfare of the Republic or the ability of the government to manage the economy of the Republic effectively in the best interests of the Republic.
(2) The information referred to in subsection (1) includes, without limiting the generality of that subsection, information about-
(a) a contemplated change in, or maintenance of, a policy substantially affecting the currency, coinage, legal tender, exchange rates or foreign investment;
(b) a contemplated change in or decision not to change-
(i) credit or interest rates;
(ii) customs or excise duties, taxes or any other source of revenue;
(iii) the regulation or supervision of financial institutions;
(iv) government borrowing; or
(v) the regulation of prices of goods or services, rents or wages, salaries or other incomes; or
(c) a contemplated-
(ii) international trade agreement.
(3) Subject to subsection (5), the information officer of a public body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record-
(a) contains trade secrets of the State or a public body;
(b) contains financial, commercial, scientific or technical information, other than trade secrets, the disclosure of which would be likely to cause harm to the commercial or financial interests of the State or a public body;
(c) contains information, the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected-
(i) to put a public body at a disadvantage in contractual or other negotiations; or
(ii) to prejudice a public body in commercial competition; or
(d) is a computer program, as defined in section 1 (1) of the Copyright Act, 1978 (Act 98 of 1978), owned by the State or a public body, except insofar as it is required to give access to a record to which access is granted in terms of this Act.
(4) The information referred to in subsection (2) © (i) includes, without limiting the generality of that subsection, information about an agreement, or contemplated agreement, to transfer any interest in or right to shares in the capital of a public body to any person which is not a public body referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) (i) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1.
(5) A record may not be refused in terms of subsection (3) insofar as it consists of information-
(b) about or owned by a public body, other than the public body to which the request is made, which has consented in writing to its disclosure to the requester concerned; or
(c) about the results of any product or environmental testing or other investigation supplied by a public body or the results of any such testing or investigation carried out by or on behalf of a public body, and its disclosure would reveal a serious public safety or environmental risk.
(6) For the purposes of subsection (5) ©, the results of any product or environmental testing or other investigation do not include the results of preliminary testing or other investigation conducted for the purpose of developing methods of testing or other investigation.
(7) If a request for access to a record contemplated in subsection (5) © is granted and the testing or other investigation was carried out by or on behalf of the public body from which the record is requested, the information officer must at the same time as access to the record is given, provide the requester with a written explanation of the methods used in conducting the testing or other investigation.
(1) The information officer of a public body must refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record contains information about research being or to be carried out by or on behalf of a third party, the disclosure of which would be likely to expose-
(b) a person that is or will be carrying out the research on behalf of the third party; or
(c) the subject matter of the research,
(2) The information officer of a public body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record contains information about research being or to be carried out by or on behalf of a public body, the disclosure of which would be likely to expose-
(1) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the information officer of a public body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body-
(a) if the record contains-
(ii) an account of a consultation, discussion or deliberation that has occurred, including, but not limited to, minutes of a meeting,
(i) the disclosure of the record could reasonably be expected to frustrate the deliberative process in a public body or between public bodies by inhibiting the candid-
(2) Subject to subsection (4), the information officer of a public body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if-
(a) the disclosure of the record could reasonably be expected to jeopardise the effectiveness of a testing, examining or auditing procedure or method used by a public body;
(b) the record contains evaluative material, whether or not the person who supplied it is identified in the record, and the disclosure of the material would breach an express or implied promise which was-
(c) the record contains a preliminary, working or other draft of an official of a public body.
(4) A record may not be refused in terms of subsection (1) or (2) insofar as it consists of an account or a statement of reasons required to be given in accordance with section 5 of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (Act 3 of 2000).
(b) the work involved in processing the request would substantially and unreasonably divert the resources of the public body.
Despite any other provision of this Chapter, the information officer of a public body must grant a request for access to a record of the body contemplated in section 34 (1), 36 (1), 37 (1) (a) or (b), 38 (a) or (b), 39 (1) (a) or (b), 40, 41 (1) (a) or (b), 42 (1) or (3), 43 (1) or (2), 44 (1) or (2) or 45, if-
(1) The information officer of a public body considering a request for access to a record that might be a record contemplated in section 34 (1), 35 (1), 36 (1), 37 (1) or 43 (1) must take all reasonable steps to inform a third party to whom or which the record relates of the request.
(2) The information officer must inform a third party in terms of subsection (1)-
(3) When informing a third party in terms of subsection (1), the information officer must-
(a) state that he or she is considering a request for access to a record that might be a record contemplated in section 34 (1), 35 (1), 36 (1), 37 (1) or 43 (1), as the case may be, and describe the content of the record;
(c) describe the provisions of section 34 (1), 35 (1), 36 (1), 37 (1) or 43 (1), as the case may be;
(d) in any case where the information officer believes that the provisions of section 46 might apply, describe those provisions, specify which of the circumstances referred to in section 46 (a) in the opinion of the information officer might apply and state the reasons why he or she is of the opinion that section 46 might apply; and
(e) state that the third party may, within 21 days after the third party is informed-
(1) A third party that is informed in terms of section 47 (1) of a request for access, may, within 21 days after the third party has been informed-
(2) A third party that obtains knowledge about a request for access other than in terms of section 47 (1) may-
(1) The information officer of a public body must, as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 30 days after every third party is informed as required by section 47-
(b) notify the third party so informed and a third party not informed in terms of section 47 (1), but that made representations in terms of section 48 or is located before the decision is taken, of the decision; and
(c) notify the requester of the decision and, if the requester stated, as contemplated in section 18 (2) (e), that he or she wishes to be informed of the decision in any other manner, inform him or her in that manner if it is reasonably possible, and if the request is-
(i) granted, notify the requester in accordance with section 25 (2); or
(ii) refused, notify the requester in accordance with section 25 (3).
(2) If, after all reasonable steps have been taken as required by section 47 (1), a third party is not informed of the request in question and the third party did not make any representations in terms of section 48, any decision whether to grant the request for access must be made with due regard to the fact that the third party did not have the opportunity to make representations in terms of section 48 why the request should be refused.
(3) If the request for access is granted, the notice in terms of subsection (1) (b) must state-
(4) If the information officer of a public body decides in terms of subsection (1) to grant the request for access concerned, he or she must give the requester access to the record concerned after the expiry of 30 days after notice is given in terms of subsection (1) (b), unless an internal appeal or an application with a court, as the case may be, is lodged against the decision within that period.
(1) A requester must be given access to any record of a private body if-
(2) In addition to the requirements referred to in subsection (1), when a public body, referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) (i) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1, requests access to a record of a private body for the exercise or protection of any rights, other than its rights, it must be acting in the public interest.
(1) The head of a private body may, on a voluntary and periodic basis, submit to the Minister a description of-
(a) the categories of records of the private body that are automatically available without a person having to request access in terms of this Act, including such categories available-
(ii) for purchase or copying from the private body; and
(iii) from the private body free of charge; and
(2) If appropriate the Minister must, on a periodic basis and by notice in the Gazette-
(a) publish any description so submitted; and
(b) update any description so published.
(4) The head of a private body may delete any part of a record contemplated in subsection (1) (a) which, on a request for access, may or must be refused in terms of Chapter 4 of this Part.
(1) A request for access to a record of a private body must be made in the prescribed form to the private body concerned at its address, fax number or electronic mail address.
(2) The form for a request for access prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1) must at least require the requester concerned-
(a) to provide sufficient particulars to enable the head of the private body concerned to identify-
(b) to indicate which form of access is required;
(c) to specify a postal address or fax number of the requester in the Republic;
(d) to identify the right the requester is seeking to exercise or protect and provide an explanation of why the requested record is required for the exercise or protection of that right;
(f) if the request is made on behalf of a person, to submit proof of the capacity in which the requester is making the request, to the reasonable satisfaction of the head.
(b) the preparation of the record for disclosure (including any arrangements contemplated in section 29 (2) (a) and (b) (i) and (ii) (aa)),
(6) A requester whose request for access to a record of a private body has been granted must pay an access fee for reproduction and for search and preparation contemplated in subsection (7) (a) and (b), respectively, for any time reasonably required in excess of the prescribed hours to search for and prepare (including making any arrangements contemplated in section 29 (2) (a) and (b) (i) and (ii) (aa)) the record for disclosure.
(i) is in the private body’s possession but cannot be found; or
(1) Except if the provisions regarding third party notification and intervention contemplated in Chapter 5 of this Part apply, the head of the private body to whom the request is made must, as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 30 days, after the request has been received or after the particulars required in terms of section 53 (2) have been received;
(b) notify the requester of the decision and, if the requester stated, as contemplated in section 53 (2) (e), that he or she wishes to be informed of the decision in any other manner, inform him or her in that manner if it is reasonably possible.
(c) that the requester may lodge an application with a court against the access fee to be paid or the form of access granted, and the procedure, including the period allowed, for lodging the application.
(a) state adequate reasons for the refusal, including the provisions of this Act relied on;
(b) exclude, from any such reasons, any reference to the content of the record; and
(c) state that the requester may lodge an application with a court against the refusal of the request, and the procedure (including the period) for lodging the application.
(1) The head of a private body to whom a request for access has been made, may extend the period of 30 days referred to in section 56 (1) (in this section referred to as the ‘original period’) once for a further period of not more than 30 days, if-
(1) If a request for access is made to a record of a private body containing information which may or must be refused in terms of any provision of Chapter 4 of this Part, every part of the record which-
(a) such form as the requester reasonably requires; or
(b) if no specific form of access is required by the requester, such form as the head reasonably determines.
(1) If the head of a private body who grants, in terms of section 50, a request for access to a record provided by a health practitioner in his or her capacity as such about the physical or mental health, or well-being-
(in this section, the requester and person referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), respectively, are referred to as the ‘relevant person’), is of the opinion that the disclosure of the record to the relevant person might cause serious harm to his or her physical or mental health, or well-being, the head may, before giving access in terms of section 60, consult with a health practitioner who, subject to subsection (2), has been nominated by the relevant person.
(3) (a) If, after being given access to the record concerned, the health the disclosure of the record to the relevant person, would be likely to cause serious harm to his or her physical or mental health, or well-being, the head may only give access to the record if the requester proves to the satisfaction of the head that adequate provision is made for such counselling or arrangements as are reasonably practicable before, during or after the disclosure of the record to limit, alleviate or avoid such harm to
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the head of a private body must refuse a request for access to a record of the body if its disclosure would involve the unreasonable disclosure of personal information about a third party, including a deceased individual.
(a) about an individual who has consented in terms of section 72 or otherwise in writing to its disclosure to the requester concerned;
(b) already publicly available;
(c) that was given to the private body by the individual to whom it relates and the individual was informed by or on behalf of the private body, before it is given, that the information belongs to a class of information that would or might be made available to the public;
(f) about an individual who is or was an official of a private body and which relates to the position or functions of the individual, including, but not limited to-
(i) the fact that the individual is or was an official of that private body;
(iii) the classification, salary scale or remuneration and responsibilities of the position held or services performed by the individual; and
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the head of a private body must refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record contains-
(2) A record may not be refused in terms of subsection (1) insofar as it consists of information about-
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) (b), the results of any product or environmental testing or other investigation do not include the results of preliminary testing or other investigation conducted for the purpose of developing methods of testing or other investigation.
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the head of a private body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record-
(a) contains trade secrets of the private body;
(b) contains financial, commercial, scientific or technical information, other than trade secrets, of the private body, the disclosure of which would be likely to cause harm to the commercial or financial interests of the body;
(i) to put the private body at a disadvantage in contractual or other negotiations; or
(d) is a computer program, as defined in section 1 (1) of the Copyright Act, 1978 (Act 98 of 1978), owned by the private body, except insofar as it is required to give access to a record to which access is granted in terms of this Act.
(1) The head of a private body must refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record contains information about research being or to be carried out by or on behalf of a third party, the disclosure of which would be likely to expose-
(2) The head of a private body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record contains information about research being or to be carried out by or on behalf of the private body, the disclosure of which would be likely to expose-
(a) the private body;
(b) a person that is or will be carrying out the research on behalf of the private body; or
(1) The head of a private body considering a request for access to a record that might be a record contemplated in section 63 (1), 64 (1), 65 or 69 (1), must take all reasonable steps to inform a third party to whom or which the record relates of the request.
(2) The head must inform a third party in terms of subsection (1)-
(a) as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 21 days after that request is received; and
(3) When informing a third party in terms of subsection (1), the head must-
(a) state that he or she is considering a request for access to a record that might be a record contemplated in section 63 (1), 64 (1), 65 or 69 (1), as the case may be, and describe the content of the record;
(c) describe the provisions of section 63 (1), 64 (1), 65 or 69 (1), as the case may be;
(d) in any case where the head believes that the provisions of section 70 might apply, describe those provisions, specify which of the circumstances referred to in section 70 (a) in the opinion of the head might apply and state the reasons why he or she is of the opinion that section 70 might apply; and
(i) make written or oral representations to the head why the request for access should be refused; or
(1) A third party that is informed in terms of section 71 (1) of a request for access, may, within 21 days after being so informed-
(2) A third party that obtains knowledge about a request for access other than in terms of section 71 (1) may-
(1) The head of a private body must, as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 30 days after every third party is informed as required by section 71-
(c) notify the requester of the decision and, if the requester stated, as contemplated in section 53 (2) (e), that he or she wishes to be informed of the decision in any other manner, inform him or her in that manner if it is reasonably possible, and if the request is-
(i) granted, notify the requester in accordance with section 56 (2); or
(ii) refused, notify the requester in accordance with section 56 (3).
(3) If the request is granted, the notice in terms of subsection (1) (b) must state-
(4) If the head of the private body decides in terms of subsection (1) to grant the request for access concerned, he or she must give the requester access to the record concerned after the expiry of 30 days after notice is given in terms of subsection (1) (b), unless an application with a court is lodged against the decision within that period.
(1) A requester may lodge an internal appeal against a decision of the information officer of a public body referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1-
(b) taken in terms of section 22, 26 (1) or 29 (3),
(2) A third party may lodge an internal appeal against a decision of the information officer of a public body referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1 to grant a request for access.
(1) An internal appeal-
(a) must be lodged in the prescribed form-
(ii) if notice to a third party is required by section 49 (1) (b), within 30 days after notice is given to the appellant of the decision appealed against or, if notice to the appellant is not required, after the decision was taken;
(d) if, in addition to a written reply, the appellant wishes to be informed of the decision on the internal appeal in any other manner, must state that manner and provide the necessary particulars to be so informed;
(2) (a) If an internal appeal is lodged after the expiry of the period referred to in subsection (1) (a), the relevant authority must, upon good cause shown, allow the late lodging of the internal appeal.
(3) (a) A requester lodging an internal appeal against the refusal of his or her request for access must pay the prescribed appeal fee (if any).
(4) As soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 10 working days after receipt of an internal appeal in accordance with subsection (1), the information officer of the public body concerned must submit to the relevant authority-
(a) the internal appeal together with his or her reasons for the decision concerned; and
(b) if the internal appeal is against the refusal or granting of a request for access, the name, postal address, phone and fax number and electronic mail address, whichever is available, of any third party that must be notified in terms of section 47 (1) of the request.
(1) If a relevant authority is considering an internal appeal against the refusal of a request for access to a record contemplated in section 34 (1), 35 (1), 36 (1), 37 (1) or 43 (1), the authority must inform the third party to whom or which the record relates of the internal appeal, unless all necessary steps to locate the third party have been unsuccessful.
(2) The relevant authority must inform a third party in terms of subsection (1)-
(a) as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 30 days after the receipt of the internal appeal; and
(3) When informing a third party in terms of subsection (1), the relevant authority must-
(a) state that he or she is considering an internal appeal against the refusal of a request for access to a record contemplated in section 34 (1), 35 (1), 36 (1), 37 (1) or 43 (1), as the case may be, and describe the content of the record and the provisions of section 34 (1), 35 (1), 36 (1), 37 (1) or 43 (1), as the case may be;
(b) furnish the name of the appellant;
(c) in any case where that authority believes that the provisions of section 46 might apply, describe those provisions, specify which of the circumstances referred to in section 46 (a) in the opinion of the head might apply and state the reasons why he or she is of the opinion that section 46 might apply; and
(d) state that the third party may, within 21 days after the third party is informed, make written representations to that authority why the request for access should not be granted.
(6) A third party that obtains knowledge about an internal appeal other than in terms of subsection (1) may-
(8) The relevant authority must-
(a) notify the requester concerned in terms of subsection (7) as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 30 days after the receipt of the internal appeal; and
(b) state in that notice that the third party may within 21 days after notice is given, make written representations to that authority why that request should be granted.
(1) The decision on an internal appeal must be made with due regard to-
(a) the particulars stated in the internal appeal in terms of section 75 (1) (c);
(b) any reasons submitted by the information officer in terms of section 75 (4) (a);
(c) any representations made in terms of section 76 (5), (6) or (9); and
(d) if a third party cannot be located as contemplated in section 76 (1), the fact that the third party did not have the opportunity to make representations in terms of section 76 (5) why the internal appeal should be dismissed.
(3) The relevant authority must decide on the internal appeal-
(b) if a third party is informed in terms of section 76 (1), as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 30 days; or
(c) if notice is given in terms of section 76 (7)-
(i) within five working days after the requester concerned has made written representations in terms of section 76 (9); or
(4) The relevant authority must, immediately after the decision on an internal appeal-
(a) give notice of the decision to-
(ii) every third party informed as required by section 76 (1); and
(iii) the requester notified as required by section 76 (7); and
(b) if reasonably possible, inform the appellant about the decision in any other manner stated in terms of section 75 (1) (d).
(5) The notice in terms of subsection (4) (a) must-
(c) state that the appellant, third party or requester, as the case may be, may lodge an application with a court against the decision on internal appeal-
(ii) if notice to a third party is required by subsection (4) (a) (ii), within 30 days,
(i) is not required by subsection (4) (a) (ii), that access to the record will forthwith be given; or
(ii) is so required, that access to the record will be given after the expiry of the applicable period for lodging an application with a court against the decision on internal appeal referred to in paragraph ©, unless that application is lodged before the end of that applicable period.
(6) If the relevant authority decides on internal appeal to grant a request for access and notice to a third party-
(a) is not required by subsection (4) (a) (ii), the information officer of the body must forthwith give the requester concerned access to the record concerned; or
(b) is so required, the information officer must, after the expiry of 30 days after the notice is given to every third party concerned, give the requester access to the record concerned, unless an application with a court is lodged against the decision on internal appeal before the end of the period contemplated in subsection (5) (c) (ii) for lodging that application.
(c) aggrieved by a decision of the information officer of a public body referred to in paragraph (b) of the definition of ‘public body’ in section 1-
(ii) taken in terms of section 22, 26 (1) or 29 (3); or
(1) The Rules Board for Courts of Law, established by section 2 of the Rules Board for Courts of Law Act, 1985 (Act 107 of 1985), must within 12 months after the commencement of this section, make and implement rules of procedure for-
(b) a court to receive representations ex parte referred to in section 80 (3) (a).
(2) Before the implementation of the rules of procedure in terms of subsection (1) (a), an application in terms of section 78 may only be lodged with a High Court or another court of similar status.
(1) Despite this Act and any other law, any court hearing an application, or an appeal against a decision on that application, may examine any record of a public or private body to which this Act applies, and no such record may be withheld from the court on any grounds.
(2) Any court contemplated in subsection (1) may not disclose to any person, including the parties to the proceedings concerned, other than the public or private body referred to in subsection (1)-
(b) if the information officer of a public body, or the relevant authority of that body on internal appeal, in refusing to grant access to a record in terms of section 39 (3) or 41 (4), refuses to confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of the record, any information as to whether the record exists.
(3) Any court contemplated in subsection (1) may-
(c) prohibit the publication of such information in relation to the proceedings as the court determines, including information in relation to the parties to the proceedings and the contents of orders made by the court in the proceedings.
(1) For the purposes of this Chapter proceedings on application in terms of section 78 are civil proceedings.
(3) The burden of establishing that-
(b) any decision taken in terms of section 22, 26 (1), 29 (3), 54, 57 (1) or 60, complies with the provisions of this Act rests on the party claiming that it so complies.
(1) The Human Rights Commission must-
(a) compile and make available a guide on how to use this Act as contemplated in section 10; and
(2) The Human Rights Commission must, to the extent that financial and other resources are available-
(a) develop and conduct educational programmes to advance the understanding of the public, in particular of disadvantaged communities, of this Act and of how to exercise the rights contemplated in this Act;
(b) encourage public and private bodies to participate in the development and conduct of programmes referred to in paragraph (a) and to undertake such programmes themselves; and
(3) The Human Rights Commission may-
(a) make recommendations for-
(c) if reasonably possible, on request, assist any person wishing to exercise a right contemplated in this Act;
(d) recommend to a public or private body that the body make such changes in the manner in which it administers this Act as the Commission considers advisable;
(e) train information officers and deputy information officers of public bodies;
(g) obtain advice from, consult with, or receive and consider proposals or recommendations from, any public or private body, official of such a body or member of the public in connection with the Commission’s functions in terms of this Act;
(h) for the purposes of section 84 (b) (x), request the Public Protector to submit to the Commission information with respect to-
(a) any recommendation in terms of section 83 (3) (a); and
(b) in relation to each public body, particulars of-
(v) the number of cases in which the periods stipulated in section 25 (1) were extended in terms of section 26 (1);
(vii) the number of internal appeals which were lodged on the ground that a request for access was regarded as having been refused in terms of section 27;
(ix) the number of applications to every court which were lodged on the ground that an internal appeal was regarded as having been dismissed in terms of section 77 (7);
(1) The Minister must, within 12 months after the commencement of section 6, introduce a Bill in Parliament proposing the amendment of-
(a) Part 1 of the Schedule to include the provisions of legislation which provide for or promote access to a record of a public body; and
(b) Part 2 of the Schedule to include the provisions of legislation which provide for or promote access to a record of a private body.
(1) For-
(a) 12 months from the date that Part 2 takes effect in respect of a public body, the reference to-
(i) 30 days in section 25 (1) and any other reference to that period in other provisions of this Act;
(ii) 30 days in section 49 (1) and any other reference to that period in other provisions of this Act, must be construed as a reference to 90 days in respect of that public body; and
(b) 12 months following the 12 months referred to in paragraph (a), the reference to-
(ii) 30 days in section 49 (1) and any other reference to that period in other provisions of this Act, must be construed as a reference to 60 days in respect of the public body concerned.
(2) The periods of 90 days and 60 days referred to in subsection (1) (a) and (b), respectively, may not be extended in terms of section 26.
GENERAL PROVISIONS (89-93)
No person is criminally or civilly liable for anything done in good faith in the exercise or performance or purported exercise or performance of any power or duty in terms of this Act.
A person who with intent to deny a right of access in terms of this Act-
91 Amends section 6 (4) of the Public Protector Act 23 of 1994,
as follows: paragraph (a) substitutes in paragraph (c) the expression ‘authority; and’ for the expression ‘authority’; and paragraph (b) adds paragraph (d).
(1) The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, make regulations regarding-
(b) any matter relating to the fees contemplated in sections 22 and 54;
(d) uniform criteria to be applied by the information officer of a public body when deciding which categories of records are to be made available in terms of section 15; and
(e) any administrative or procedural matter necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Act.
(3) Any regulation in terms of subsection (1) which-
(a) relates to fees; or
(b) may result in financial expenditure for the State,
(1) This Act is the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000, and takes effect on a date determined by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
(2) Different dates may be so determined in respect of-
(a) different provisions of this Act;
(b) different categories of public bodies, including, but not limited to, different public bodies contemplated in-
(ii) paragraph (b) (i); and
(iii) paragraph (b) (ii),
(c) different categories of private bodies.
[NB: The Schedule has been amended by s. 79 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001, a provision which will be put into operation by proclamation. See PENDLEX.]
Number and year Short title Section of law
PENDLEX: Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 after amendment by the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001
Promotion to Access to Information Amendment act, 54 of 2002