PAIA — PAIA Manual Template: PAIA Manual Template — Public Body (source: https://inforegulator.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PAIA-Manual-Template-Public-Body.pdf)
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
[INSERT THE LOGO AND NAME OF YOUR ORGANISATION)
PAIA MANUAL
Prepared in terms of section 14 of the
Promotion of Access to Information Act
2 of 2000 (as amended)
DATE OF COMPILATION: 01/10/2021
DATE OF REVISION: 01/10/2021
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
1. LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
NB: please insert relevant acronyms and abbreviations
1.1 “CEO” Chief Executive Officer
1.2 “DIO” Deputy Information Officer;
1.3 “IO“ Information Officer;
1.4 “Minister” Minister of Justice and Correctional Services;
1.5 “PAIA” Promotion of Access to Information Act No. 2 of 2000( as
Amended;
1.6 “PFMA” Public Finance Management Act No.1 of 1999 as
Amended;
1.7 “POPIA” Protection of Personal Information Act No.4 of 2013;
1.8 “Regulator” Information Regulator.
2. PURPOSE OF PAIA MANUAL
This PAIA Manual is useful for the public to-
2.1 check the nature of the records which may already be available at (name of the
body), without the need for submitting a formal PAIA request;
2.2 have an understanding of how to make a request for access to a record of the (name
of the body);
2.3 access all the relevant contact details of the persons who will assist the public with
the records they intend to access;
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
2.4 know all the remedies available from the (name of the body) regarding request for
access to the records, before approaching the Regulator or the Courts;
2.5 the description of the services available to members of the public from the (name of
the body), and how to gain access to those services;
2.6 a description of the guide on how to use PAIA, as updated by the Regulator and
how to obtain access to it;
2.7 if the body will process personal information, the purpose of processing of personal
information and the description of the categories of data subjects and of the
information or categories of information relating thereto;
2.8 know if the (name of the body) has planned to transfer or process personal
information outside the Republic of South Africa and the recipients or categories of
recipients to whom the personal information may be supplied; and
2.9 know whether the (name of the body) has appropriate security measures to ensure
the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the personal information which is to be
processed.
3. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE (INSERT THE NAME OF THE PUBLIC BODY)
NB: Please indicate the section and the legislation under which the public body is
established.
3.1. Objectives/Mandate
NB: Specify objectives and/or mandate of the organisation as may be contained in
the founding legislation(s)
4. STRUCTURE OF THE (INSERT THE NAME OF THE PUBLIC BODY) AND FUNCTIONS
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
4.1. Structure
NB: Attach the Organisational Top Structure and specify the names all committees,
such as Audit & Risk Committees.
4.2 Functions
NB: Please specify the functions of the public body, as stipulated in the founding
legislation
5. KEY CONTACT DETAILS FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION OF THE (INSERT THE
NAME OF THE PUBLIC BODY)
5.1. Chief Information Officer
Name: Full names of the CEO
Tel: His/her landline
Email: His/her email address
Fax number: Direct fax number
5.2. Deputy Information Officer (NB: if more than one Deputy Information Officer is
designated, please provide the details of every Deputy Information Officer of the
body designated in terms of section 17 (1) of PAIA)
Name: Name of the Deputy Information Officer
Tel: Work telephone numbers
Email: Email address
Fax Number: Direct fax number
5.3 Access to information general contacts
Email: Provide general email address for access to information
5.4 National / Head Office
Postal Address: Provide Postal Address
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
Physical Address: Provide physical address
Telephone: Provide general contact numbers for the organisation
Email: provide general contact email address for the organisation
Website: specify the website of the organisation
6. DESCRIPTION OF ALL REMEDIES AVAILABLE IN RESPECT OF AN ACT OR A
FAILURE TO ACT BY THE (INSERT THE NAME OF THE PUBLIC BODY)
NB: Please describe all remedies available in respect of an act or a failure to act by the
body. This many include-
a) internal appeal,
b) process for complaining to the Information Regulator or any regulatory body; and/or
c) process for approaching the Court with jurisdiction for appropriate relief.
7. GUIDE ON HOW TO USE PAIA AND HOW TO OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE GUIDE
7.1. The Regulator has, in terms of section 10(1) of PAIA, updated and made available
the revised Guide on how to use PAIA (“Guide”), in an easily comprehensible form
and manner, as may reasonably be required by a person who wishes to exercise
any right contemplated in PAIA and POPIA.
7.2. The Guide is available in each of the official languages.
7.3. The aforesaid Guide contains the description of-
7.3.1. the objects of PAIA and POPIA;
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
7.3.2. the postal and street address, phone and fax number and, if available,
electronic mail address of-
7.3.2.1. the Information Officer of every public body, and
7.3.2.2. every Deputy Information Officer of every public and private
body designated in terms of section 17(1) of PAIA1 and
section 56 of POPIA2;
7.3.3. the manner and form of a request for-
7.3.3.1. access to a record of a public body contemplated in section
113; and
7.3.3.2. access to a record of a private body contemplated in section
504;
7.3.4. the assistance available from the Information Officer of a public body in
terms of PAIA and POPIA;
7.3.5. the assistance available from the Regulator in terms of PAIA and POPIA;
7.3.6. all remedies in law available regarding an act or failure to act in respect of
a right or duty conferred or imposed by PAIA and POPIA, including the
manner of lodging-
7.3.6.1. an internal appeal;
1 Section 17(1) of PAIA- For the purposes of PAIA, each public body must, subject to legislation governing the employment of
personnel of the public body concerned, designate such number of persons as deputy information officers as are necessary to
render the public body as accessible as reasonably possible for requesters of its records.
2 Section 56(a) of POPIA- Each public and private body must make provision, in the manner prescribed in section 17 of the
Promotion of Access to Information Act, with the necessary changes, for the designation of such a number of persons, if any, as
deputy information officers as is necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities as set out in section 55(1) of POPIA.
3 Section 11(1) of PAIA- A requester must be given access to a record of a public body if that requester complies with all the
procedural requirements in PAIA relating to a request for access to that record; and access to that record is not refused in terms of
any ground for refusal contemplated in Chapter 4 of this Part.
4 Section 50(1) of PAIA- A requester must be given access to any record of a private body if-
a) that record is required for the exercise or protection of any rights;
b) that person complies with the procedural requirements in PAIA relating to a request for access to that record; and
c) access to that record is not refused in terms of any ground for refusal contemplated in Chapter 4 of this Part.
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
7.3.6.2. a complaint to the Regulator; and
7.3.6.3. an application with a court against a decision by the information
officer of a public body, a decision on internal appeal or a
decision by the Regulator or a decision of the head of a private
body;
7.3.7. the provisions of sections 145 and 516 requiring a public body and private
body, respectively, to compile a manual, and how to obtain access to a
manual;
7.3.8. the provisions of sections 157 and 528 providing for the voluntary disclosure
of categories of records by a public body and private body, respectively;
7.3.9. the notices issued in terms of sections 229 and 5410 regarding fees to be
paid in relation to requests for access; and
7.3.10. the regulations made in terms of section 9211.
7.4. Members of the public can inspect or make copies of the Guide from the offices of
the public or private bodies, including the office of the Regulator, during normal
working hours. The Guide can also be obtained-
5Section 14(1) of PAIA- The information officer of a public body must, in at least three official languages, make available a manual
containing information listed in paragraph 4 above.
6 Section 51(1) of PAIA- The head of a private body must make available a manual containing the description of the information
listed in paragraph 4 above.
7 Section15(1) of PAIA- The information officer of a public body, must make available in the prescribed manner a description of the
categories of records of the public body that are automatically available without a person having to request access
8 Section 52(1) of PAIA- The head of a private body may, on a voluntary basis, make available in the prescribed manner a description
of the categories of records of the private body that are automatically available without a person having to request access
9 Section22(1) of PAIA- The information officer of a public body to whom a request for access is made, must by notice require the
requester to pay the prescribed request fee (if any), before further processing the request.
10 Section54(1) of PAIA- The head of a private body to whom a request for access is made must by notice require the requester to
pay the prescribed request fee (if any), before further processing the request.
11 Section 92(1) of PAIA provides that –“The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, make regulations regarding-
(a) any matter which is required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed;
(b) any matter relating to the fees contemplated in sections 22 and 54;
(c) any notice required by this Act;
(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.”
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
7.4.1. upon request to the Information Officer;
7.4.2. from the website of the Regulator (https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg/).
8. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECTS ON WHICH THE BODY HOLDS RECORDS AND
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS HELD BY THE (INSERT THE NAME OF THE BODY)
NB: Describe the subjects (i.e. Finance, SCM or HR), in respect of which the body holds
records and the categories of records held on each subject. Below is an example of the
table that can be used.
Subjects on which the body Categories of records held on each subject
holds records
Strategic Documents, Plans, Annual Reports, Strategic Plan, Annual
Proposals Performance Plan.
Human Resources - HR policies and procedures;
- Advertised posts;
- Employees records;
- Learning and development e.g.: skills
development and training plans
- Employment equity plan and statistics
9. CATEGORIES OF RECORDS OF THE (INSERT THE NAME OF THE BODY) WHICH
ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT A PERSON HAVING TO REQUEST ACCESS
NB: Please specify the categories of records of the body which are available without a
person having to request access in terms of this Act, type of document and how the
document can be accessed. These are mostly records that maybe available on the
website and a person may just download or request telephonically or by sending an email
or a letter. Below is the template that can be used.
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
Category Document Type Available on Available
Website upon
request
Tender document - Advertised tender X
- Name of successful bidder
Legislation /Regulations -
Strategic Documents - Organisational profile X
(Plans and Report) (Overview, Objectives,
Functions, Architecture)
- Annual Reports;
- Strategic Plan;
- Annual Performance Plan;
- Strategic and Performance
Plans;
10. SERVICES AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM THE (INSERT THE
NAME OF THE BODY) AND HOW TO GAIN ACCESS TO THOSE SERVICES
10.1 Powers, duties and function
NB: Please specify the powers, duties and functions or services provided by the
body to the public, as contained in the founding legislation and regulations. Please
also describe how the public can access those services. If there is any guide or
booklet that provides sufficient information on the services available to the body,
please also provide the link to the said guide or booklet.
11. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICY OR THE EXERCISE OF
POWERS OR PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES BY (INSERT THE NAME OF THE BODY)
NB: Please specify how the public can participate in or influence the formulation of policy
or the exercise of powers or performance of duties, by the body.
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
12. PROCESSING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
12.1 Purpose of Processing
NB: Describe the purpose for processing personal information in the organisation
12.2 Description of the categories of Data Subjects and of the information or
categories of information relating thereto
NB: Specify the categories of data subjects in respect of whom the body processes
personal information and the nature or categories of the personal information being
processed.
Below is the template that can be used to set out the categories of the data subjects
and the description of the nature or categories of the personal information to be
processed. Note that the nature of the personal information is dependent on the
purpose of the body in performing its functions or services.
Categories of Data Personal Information that may be Processed
Subjects
Natural Persons Names and surname; contact details (contact
number(s), fax number, email address); Residential,
postal or business address; Unique Identifier/Identity
Number and confidential correspondence
Juristic Persons Names of contact persons; Name of legal entity;
physical and postal address; contact details (contact
number(s), fax number, email address); registration
number; financial, commercial, scientific or technical
information and trade secrets
Employees Gender, pregnancy; marital status; Race age,
language, educational information (qualifications);
financial information; employment history; ID number;
physical and postal address; contact details(contact
number(s), fax number, email address); criminal
behaviour; well-being and their relatives ( family
members) race, medical, gender, sex, nationality,
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
Categories of Data Personal Information that may be Processed
Subjects
ethnic or social origin, sexual orientation, age, physical
or mental health, well-being, disability, religion,
conscience, belief, culture, language, biometric
information of the person
12.3 The recipients or categories of recipients to whom the personal information
may be supplied
NB: Specify the person or category of persons to whom the body may disseminate
personal information. Below is an example of the category of personal information
to be disseminated and the recipient or category of recipients of the personal
information.
Category of personal Recipients or Categories of Recipients
information
Identity number and names, for South African Police Services
criminal checks
Qualifications, for qualification South African Qualifications Authority
verifications
Credit and payment history, for Credit Bureaus
credit information
12.4 Planned transborder flows of personal information
NB: Indicate if the body has planned transborder flows of personal information and
the country in which personal information will be transferred. An example of
transborder flow of personal information is the storage of the personal
information in the cloud which is situated outside the Republic
12.5 General Description of Information Security Measures to be implemented by
the responsible party to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of
the information
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
NB: Specify the nature of the security safeguards to be implemented to ensure
suitable and optimum security, confidentiality, integrity and availability of the
personal information under the care of the body. This may, for example, include
Data Encryption; Anti-virus and Anti-malware Solutions.
13. AVAILABILITY OF THE MANUAL
13.1 This Manual is made available in the following three official languages-
13.1.1 English;
13.1.2 ………………………….
13.1.3 ………………………….
13.2 A copy of this Manual or the updated version thereof, is also available as follows-
13.2.1 on ( specify the website), if any, of the public body;
13.2.2 at the head office of the public body for public inspection during normal
business hours;
13.2.3 to any person upon request and upon the payment of a reasonable
prescribed fee; and
13.2.4 to the Information Regulator upon request.
13.3 A fee for a copy of the Manual, as contemplated in annexure B of the Regulations,
shall be payable per each A4-size photocopy made.
14. UPDATING OF THE MANUAL
The (insert the name of private body) will, if necessary, update and publish this Manual
annually.
Issued by
PAIA Manual Template: Public Body
______________________________________________
(Insert the Name of the information Officer)
(Title of information Officer. e.g. Chief Executive Officer)
Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and
