All citizens of South Africa have a right to access information which affects their lives. They have a right to know how government functions and how decisions taken by them may affect their lives. This transparent flow of information between government and its citizens is necessary for democracy.
To support this right of access to information, the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) [PDF] 899 KB was passed by the South African Parliament in 2000. The aim of this Act is to 'foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public and private bodies by giving effect to the right of access to information, and actively promote a society in which the people of South Africa have effective access to information to enable them more fully to exercise and protect all of their rights.'
Access to Information Manual
In terms of section 14 of the PAIA, public bodies are required to compile a manual on how members of the public can access information held by the public body. The Access to Information Manual is regularly updated and available on this website.
Members of the public can request access to any record held by the GCIS using the following attached forms:
- PAIA Internal Appeal Form
- PAIA Outcomes of Request and Payable Forms
- PAIA Request for Access to Record
Information Officer
The PAIA states that each body must appoint an Information Officer and Deputy Information Officer(s) who will be responsible to process applications for access to information and help applicants to apply for information.
In terms of the PAIA, the Director-General of the Government Communication and Information System is the Information Officer. The DG has delegated her powers and functions in terms of the PAIA to the Deputy Information Officer.
Deputy Information Officer: Liepollo Euphodia Monaheng
Postal address: Private Bag X745, Pretoria, 0001
Street address: Tshedimosetso House, 1035 cnr Frances Baard and Festival streets, HATFIELD, Pretoria, 0083
Tel: 012 473 0346
E-mail: liepollo@gcis.gov.za