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.

Gauteng Premier enforcement action | Reasons for refusal

The Information Regulator’s preliminary investigation report reveals that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi did not provide adequate reasons for refusing the Democratic Alliance (DA) access to 177 forensic reports from 2016 to date. The investigation is ongoing. If a body wants […]

By |2026-10-14T14:44:24+02:00October 14th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , , |
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Information Regulator ramps up enforcement

Information Regulator ramps up enforcement: on 1 September 2026, the Information Regulator briefed the public and media on its latest enforcement and compliance activities under POPIA and PAIA. The briefing shows the Regulator is increasingly concerned about South Africa's cybersecurity [...]

By |2026-09-23T09:37:19+02:00September 2nd, 2026|Categories: Access to Information, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , |
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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 in accordance with a notice published by the Regulator. The regulator has requested private bodies to submit this report annually in terms of [...]

By |2026-09-02T15:18:18+02:00August 31st, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , |
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PAIA section 32 report for public bodies | PAIA annual report

The information officer of every public body in South Africa must submit a PAIA section 32 report to the Information Regulator annually. Section 32 of PAIA makes it compulsory - a regulatory requirement. PAIA gives effect to section 32 [...]

By |2026-09-02T15:53:27+02:00August 31st, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , |
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Mashashane v SABC | Exhaust internal remedies

In Mashashane v SABC, the Gauteng Local Division considered an urgent application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA). Mashashane, the applicant, sought to compel the SABC to disclose a copy of an old Speak […]

By |2026-09-21T09:56:47+02:00August 25th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , , , |
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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 […]

By |2026-07-23T14:15:31+02:00July 23rd, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , , , |
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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 […]

By |2026-07-22T15:49:17+02:00July 22nd, 2026|Categories: Access to Information, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , |
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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 […]

By |2026-07-14T16:57:38+02:00July 14th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , , |
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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 […]

By |2026-07-10T14:00:49+02:00July 10th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information, Data governance, Information Law, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , , , |
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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. […]

By |2026-06-22T13:47:03+02:00June 19th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , , |
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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 [...]

By |2026-05-11T15:56:01+02:00May 10th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information, Company Law, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , |
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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 […]

By |2026-05-06T15:59:28+02:00May 6th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information, Contracts|Tags: , , , , , |
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