Chapter Zero Southern Africa
Legal Document

PAIA Manual

Promotion of Access to Information Act Manual prepared in accordance with Section 51 of the Act

Chapter Zero Southern Africa strives for transparency and trust when it comes to engagement with our stakeholders and the public at large. This manual has been prepared in accordance with section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000.

1. Functions and Structure

1.1 Functions

Chapter Zero Southern Africa acts in the public interest to equip and mobilize governing bodies to address Climate and Just Transition. The purpose of Chapter Zero South Africa is to build a community of Southern African non-executive directors and equip them to lead critical boardroom discussions on the impacts of, and response to climate change.

1.2 Structures

Chapter Zero South Africa consists of the following roles and structures:

  • Patrons
  • Board
  • Volunteers

2. Contact Details

Chief Executive Officer: Mark Kaplan(who is also the organisation's information officer)

3. Access

This manual is published on the organisation's website at chapterzerosouthernafrica.org or alternatively, a copy can be requested from the information officer (see contact details in section 2).

4. Guide to the PAIA and POPI Acts

Guides to the PAIA and POPI Acts can be obtained, and queries directed to:

4.1 PAIA Queries

South African Human Rights Commission

Promotion of Access to Information Act Unit

Research and Documentation Department

Private Bag 2700, Houghton (2041)

29 Princess of Wales Terrace

Cnr York and St Andrews Street

Parktown, JOHANNESBURG

4.2 POPIA Queries

JD House, 27 Stiemens Street

Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001

P.O Box 31533

Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2017

5. Our Records

The following is a broad description of records available. This list is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time. Further information can be found in the organisation's Privacy Policy which can be accessed from the website's footer banner or by contacting the information officer.

5.1 Events

Examples of the details the organisation collects to provide an Event:

First name
Surname
Email address
Country of residence
Meal preference
Institution/association name
Identification number
Payment details

Additional details that could be collected include: Job title, Company, Industry, Gender, Date of birth

5.2 Online

Examples of information collected from online activities:

Browser
Email provider
Website pages visited
Device
IP address
Internet connection
Location

5.3 Third Parties

The organization makes use of third parties, such as institutions, associations, and technology providers, which may provide additional information:

Telephonic contact number
Email address
Postal address

6. Processing of Personal Information

Please refer to the organisation's Privacy Policy for further details. The Privacy Policy is accessible on the website's footer banner or by contacting the information officer (see contact details in section 2).

7. Procedure for Requesting Access to Records

If a requester requests access to a record, referred to in paragraph 4 above, the requester must complete the request form included at the end of this manual.

7.1 Request Form

The requester must:

  • Complete the form as included in the Government Gazette (Govt. Notice R187 of 15 February 2002 Form A) as provided here: www.justice.gov.za/forms/form_paia.htm
  • Indicate whether the request is for a copy of the record or perusal of the record at the offices of the organisation.

7.2 Information Provision Form

A requester may request access in a particular form, provided that it does not unreasonably interfere with effective administration, is not detrimental to preservation, or infringe copyrights.

7.3 Language

The requester must indicate whether the requested record is preferred in a particular language.

7.4 Address

The requester must indicate the postal address in the Republic of South Africa.

7.5 Method

If the requester wants to be informed of the decision in any manner other than written, they must indicate it in the request.

7.6 Intercedent

If submitting on behalf of someone else, proof of capacity must be submitted.

7.7 Disability

If a requester is illiterate or disabled and cannot submit a written request, the request may be made orally.

8. Fees

There are two types of fees to be paid in terms of the PAIA, namely: the request fee, and the access fee.

8.1 A requester who seeks access to a record containing own personal information (a “personal requester”) is not required to pay the request fee.

8.2 Every other requester, who is not a personal requester, must pay the required fee.

8.3 The information officer will inform the requester by notice, requiring the requester to pay the prescribed fee before further processing the request.

8.4 If the search requires more time than normally needs, the information officer will inform the requester to pay a deposit of one third of the access fee.

8.9 The “request fee” payable by a requester, other than a personal requester, is R50.

8.10 Fees for Reproduction and Access

ItemFee Range
Photocopy of A4-size pageR1 - R10
Printed copy from computer/electronic formR0 - R75
Compact discR70
Transcription of visual images (per A4 page)R40
Copy of visual imagesR60
Transcription of audio record (per A4 page)R20
Copy of audio recordR30
Search for record (per hour)R30

8.12 Exemptions from Access Fees

Persons exempted from paying access fees:

  • A single person whose annual income does not exceed R14,712.00
  • Married persons or a person and his/her life partner whose annual income does not exceed R27,192.00

9. Remedies

The organisation does not have internal appeal procedures regarding PAIA and POPI Act requests. As such, the decision made by the duly authorised persons in section 2, is final. If a request is denied, the requestor is entitled to apply to a court with appropriate jurisdiction, or the Information Regulator for relief.