What is PAIA?
The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) is South African legislation that creates mechanisms to facilitate access to records held by public and private bodies, irrespective of their size and the nature of their business.
Key Points
Purpose: To facilitate transparent access to information held by organizations
Who can request: Any person may request access to information, including employees, the public, government entities, and competitors
Scope: Applies to records held by both public and private bodies
Process: The Act sets out procedures for requesters to follow when asking for information and defines the duties of Information Officers responding to requests
At Ongoti Tech Solutions, we maintain an Information Officer who handles requests for access to company records in accordance with PAIA requirements.
How to Request Information
To request access to information held by Ongoti Tech Solutions, please follow the procedures outlined in our PAIA manual (available below) and submit your request to our Information Officer.
Information Request Process
- Prepare your request: Clearly describe the records you are seeking
- Complete the PAIA form: Follow the template in our PAIA manual
- Submit to Information Officer: Email or deliver to the contact details below
- Pay any applicable fees: PAIA allows for reasonable reproduction and postal costs
- Await response: We aim to respond within 30 days of receipt
- Appeal if necessary: If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal
PAIA Resources & Templates
Official guidance and sample documents to help you understand and navigate PAIA requests.
The PAIA Act
The full text of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000. The Act gives effect to section 32 of the Constitution and creates mechanisms to facilitate access to records held by public and private bodies.
ISPA Advisory
Official guidance from the Internet Service Providers' Association on PAIA compliance and best practices.
Sample PAIA Manuals
Templates and samples to understand the PAIA manual structure and requirements.
Contact Our Information Officer
Submit PAIA requests or inquiries about information access to our designated Information Officer.
Response timeframe: We aim to respond to PAIA requests within 30 days of receipt. Complex requests may require additional time, which will be communicated to you.
Your Rights Under PAIA
- Right to request access to records held by Ongoti Tech Solutions
- Right to receive a response within the prescribed timeframe
- Right to appeal a decision to refuse access
- Right to be informed of the reasons for any refusal
- Right to request a fee estimate before paying reproduction costs
- Protection from discrimination or retaliation for making a request
Note: Not all requests will be granted. PAIA provides for certain exemptions, such as trade secrets, personal privacy, and information protected by attorney-client privilege. Any refusal will include reasons and information about your right to appeal.
Complaint & Appeal Process
If your PAIA request is denied or you are unsatisfied with the response, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Information Officer or seek further assistance.
Internal Appeal
Submit a written appeal to our Information Officer at info@ongotitech.co.za, stating the reasons for your appeal.
External Appeal
If the internal appeal is unsuccessful, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa's data protection authority).
www.justice.gov.za
Transparency & Compliance
Ongoti Tech Solutions is committed to transparency and respects the rights of all individuals to access information held by our company in accordance with PAIA. We maintain comprehensive records and have designated an Information Officer to handle all requests in a timely and professional manner.
Our PAIA compliance is part of our broader commitment to data protection, privacy, and regulatory compliance as outlined in our other policy documents.