Promotion of Access to Information

Home > Promotion of Access to Information

PROMOTION OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION

WHAT IS PAIA?

 

 

 

Section 32 of the South African Constitution guarantees everyone’s right of access to information held by the state and other persons or institutions. The Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA) provides the framework and procedures for the exercise of this right to information as swiftly, inexpensively and effortlessly as is reasonably possible. Where a request is made in terms of the ACT, the private or public body to whom the request is made is obliged to release the information, except where the Act expressly provides that the information may or must not be released.

 

WHAT INFORMATION DOES THE ACT COVER?

 

 

 

PAIA applies to records of a public or private body regardless of when they came into existence. It applies to all recorded information regardless of form or medium, either in the possession or under the control of the IDC and its business units. Whilst the Act recognises the right of access to information, this is subject to certain justifiable limitations aimed at:

 

    1. The reasonable protection of privacy
    2. Commercial confidentiality; and
    3. Effective, efficient and good governance

 

 

HOW DO I ACCESS INFORMATION?

 

 

 

To request information held by the IDC, click here for relevant forms. Once complete submit to: paiarequests@idc.co.za

 

Or:

 

Deputy Information Officer
19 Fredman Drive
Sandton
2196

 

Tel: 011 269 3499
Fax: 011 269 3801

WHAT INFORMATION DOES IDC HAVE AVAILABLE?

 

Some information of the IDC is available without a person needing to request access in terms of PAIA. Access to this information only requires payment of a prescribed fee for reproduction.

A list of such records is detailed in the PAIA Manual.

PAIA MANUAL DOWNLOAD LINKS:

PAIA GUIDES:

FORMS DOWNLOAD LINKS:

DISCLAIMER

 

IDC recognizes and subscribes to the objectives of the Promotion of Access to information Act (Act 2 of 2000) which is aimed at promoting the right of access to information, transparency and accountability in an open and participatory democratic society. The access shall (unless the IDC is mandated to allow access to information) be at IDC discretion (especially in relation to certain matters and/or circumstances listed below, which list is by no means an exhaustive list), namely, where:

  • allowing access to the information would cause harm to the commercial or financial interests of the business (e.g. trade secrets of its clients);
  • it is confidential information in terms of a particular contract/agreement;
  • allowing access and information would compromise the safety of individual and/or its property;
  • information pertains to the legal proceedings (e.g. in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1977 (as amended));
  • information constitutes/relates to records pertaining to a 3rd party research and development information;
  • information relates to state security and international relations;
  • it is economic, financial and commercial information pertaining to the state which might be in IDC’s possession;
  • information pertains to the operations of the IDC (e.g. minutes of meetings; records containing advice or opinions; records pertaining to consultations with other bodies; and/or records pertaining to the
    formulation of policies or recommendations).