The Promotion of Access to Information Act
PAIA is legislation in the Republic of South Africa allowing access to any information held by the State, and any information held by private bodies that is required for the exercise and protection of any rights. It applies specifically to South Africa, but is part of the global drive towards freedom of information.
The Act is enforced by the South African Information Regulator.
Section 32(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, determines that everyone has a right of access to any information held by the State. Section 32(2) of the Constitution provides for the enactment of national legislation to give effect to this fundamental right. PAIA is the national legislation contemplated in section 32(2) of the Constitution.
Section 9 of PAIA recognises that the right of access to information is subject to certain justifiable limitations aimed at, amongst others:
1. the reasonable protection of privacy;
2. commercial confidentiality;
3. effective, efficient and good governance.
How to Apply for Information
In order to assist those who are not familiar with PAIA, a Guide that contains information to assist you in understanding how to exercise your rights under PAIA (“the Guide”) is available in all the South African official languages.
If you have any queries, or need a copy of the Guide, please contact the Information Regulator directly at:
The Information Regulator (South Africa):
JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
P.O Box 31533, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017
Complaints email: [email protected]
General enquiries email: [email protected]
Request for Access
Any request for access to a record from a private body in terms of PAIA must substantially correspond with PAIA Request Form and Request for access to record of private body (Section 53(1) of PAIA) [Regulation 10].
Fiiled in PAIA Request Form must be send to email [email protected] or by post to our office address NORWICH PLACE WEST 2ND FLOOR - CNR 5TH AND NORWICH - SANDOWN SANDTON - GAUTENG 2031