PAIA deadline extended

The majority of companies that have not yet published their information manual as required by section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) have some breathing room, as the initial deadline of 31 August 2005 has been extended.

According to a recent government gazette, all (excluding a few 'long-term' exceptions) private bodies are exempted from submitting the manual until at least 31 December 2005. The gazette announcement also grants long-term exemptions to private bodies and private companies until 31 December 2011. The long-term exception is only applicable to privte bodies that do not exceed the turnover amounts specified per industry or where the total number of employees do not exceed 50 employees, irrespective of turnover.

Although left to the very last minute, it is definitely a welcomed extension for smaller private bodies that does not need to spend thousands of rands to get their manual drafted and submitted. The only concern we have is - why establish legislation to deal with the Right of Access to Information and then differentiate between entities based on revenue or employees? A Right is a Right is a Right and should be applicable to every single private and public body in South Africa.