Semester 2 2025 - DUE August 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations.
1. Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA)
(a) Bodies from whom information can be requested (2 marks)
Under PAIA, information may be requested from:
Public bodies (e.g. government departments, state-
owned enterprises, other “organs of state”), and
Private bodies (entities such as companies, NGOs,
individuals, when the information is required to exercise
or protect any rights) Empowered Compliance
MonitorSerr Synergy.
(b) TWO responsibilities placed on these bodies before any
request is received (2 marks)
Even before a request is made, both public and private bodies
have been obliged to:
1. Compile and publish a PAIA manual, detailing the
categories of records held, how to request them, and the
contact details of the Information Officer
WikipediaInvestecEmpowered Compliance Monitor.
2. Designate an Information Officer (and, as needed, a
Deputy Information Officer) responsible for processing
, requests and ensuring compliance with PAIA
WikipediaEmpowered Compliance Monitor.
(c) FIVE (4?) grounds on which access may be refused (4
marks)
PAIA sets out both mandatory and discretionary grounds for
refusal. Five examples include:
1. Protection of certain confidential information (e.g. trade
secrets or research information that could cause serious
harm) Serr SynergyEmpowered Compliance
MonitorWikipedia.
2. Personal privacy – information that would constitute an
unreasonable invasion of privacy, including personal
information of third parties Empowered Compliance
Monitor.
3. Commercial confidentiality – records relating to private
entities’ commercial or financial affairs Serr
SynergyEmpowered Compliance Monitor.
4. Prejudice to governmental functions or policy formation –
e.g. hampering deliberative processes or policy
development by a public body Empowered Compliance
Monitor.