NOTICE TO PUBLIC BODIES: SUBMISSION OF MANDATORY COMPLIANCE REPORTS IN TERMS OF THE PROMOTION OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT (PAIA) TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is a constitutional body which promotes monitors and protects human rights in South Africa. It is also mandated in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA) to monitor compliance by the public and private sector with PAIA.
PAIA secures the right of people to receive and request information from public and private bodies. In doing so it enhances public participation in our democracy and is vital in increasing transparency, reducing corruption and increasing accountability.
Public bodies have a mandatory duty in terms of PAIA to provide the Commission with information about the requests for information they have received and processed each year. In terms of SECTION 32 of PAIA this is a mandatory obligation applicable to all public bodies including municipalities and parastatals. The reports must be submitted to the SAHRC by the second week of April 2012.
The report must be addressed to the Commissions PAIA Unit and must include, amongst other information required by the Commission, the following PAIA information for the year 2010/2011:
– The number of requests received – The number of requests granted in full – The number of requests granted in terms of public interest – Request statistics in terms of section thirty two(d) – Requests statistics in terms of section thirty two(e) – Request statistics in terms of section thirty two(f) – Request statistics in terms of section thirty two(g) – Request statistics in terms of section thirty two (h) – Other information relating to implementation, responses, areas for reform and application of the Act – Details of the public body, its information officer and deputy information officers responsible for the report, and their contact details.
The Commission also takes this opportunity to advise public bodies that it provides PAIA training on request. Section 32 reports and requests for training should be directed to the SAHRC PAIA programme: Tel: +27 11 877 3600 484. Please visit the Commission’s website for detailed information on the requirements of the section 32 report and reporting templates or Email to one of the following addresses: [email protected] ; [email protected]