Access to Information

Access to Information is regulated by law in many countries around the world. For example, the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA, or PAI Act) in South Africa. It is crucial to strike a balance between this critical right and the right to privacy. Read our insights, regulatory updates, judgment summaries, enforcement action (including fines and notes), data breaches or authority guidance.

Mudau and Netshipise Attorneys v Information Officer for the CCMA | Deemed refusal

In Mudau and Netshipise Attorneys v Information Officer for the CCMA, the Gauteng Local Division held that a public body's failure to respond to a PAIA request within the prescribed 30-day period constitutes a deemed refusal under Section 27 of […]

Information Officer and PAIA manual for the group or each entity within the group?

The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) states that the head of a private body is the Information Officer, and they should compile a PAIA manual for the private body and update the manual regularly (unless exempt). According to […]

Sibanye-Stillwater enforcement action | Commercial information of a private body

Sibanye-Stillwater enforcement action was taken by the Information Regulator, who issued a PAIA enforcement notice against the company on 22 May 2026 after Sibanye refused access to its Social and Labour Plan (SLP) compliance reports. The Information Regulator found that […]

Map activities, not information or data flows

You should map activities (rather than information, data flows, or processes) as a first step toward complying with data protection laws (such as the GDPR and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act)). The law requires larger organisations to […]

Gauteng Department of Health enforcement action | Deemed refusal

The Gauteng Department of Health enforcement action issued by the Information Regulator on 8 June 2026, directs the Department to disclose records requested by the Complainant under PAIA. The records relate to the investigation of the assassination of Babita Deokaran. […]

What is a private body or organisation?

The law treats a private body differently from a public body, so it is essential that you know the difference. Some laws (like POPIA and PAIA) require private bodies to do specific things (like submit a PAIA report). You can [...]

Eskom v Afriforum | Access to contracts

In Eskom v AfriForum, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed Eskom’s appeal and ordered it to disclose its coal and diesel contracts to AfriForum. The Court confirmed that under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000, access […]

PAIA section 83(4) report for private bodies | PAIA report

All private bodies must submit a PAIA section 83(4) report (PAIA report) to the information regulator according to a notice the regulator published. The regulator has requested private bodies to submit this report annually in terms of section 83(4) [...]

Lodge a PAIA or POPIA complaint with the Regulator

Do you want to lodge a PAIA complaint or POPIA complaint with the Information Regulator in South Africa? Has someone failed to give you access to information or infringed on your privacy? In this article, we'll help you know how [...]

Information Regulator in South Africa

The Information Regulator was created by the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act). POPI gives the Information Regulator teeth - it has extensive powers to investigate and fine responsible parties. Data subjects can complain to the Information Regulator, [...]

Kudung CPA enforcement action | Criminal prosecution

In August 2025, South Africa’s Information Regulator issued an enforcement notice against the Kudung Communal Property Association (Kudung CPA) for failing to provide access to requested records under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). After Kudung CPA ignored […]

When must I comply with PAIA? PAIA scope of application

The scope of application of PAIA is triggered when the conduct of a body (public or private) affects the rights of South Africans. Specifically, a body must comply with PAIA when a person may require access to the records it [...]

By |2026-03-06T14:49:33+02:00February 4th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , |