The Minister has again exempted certain private bodies from the obligation to compile a manual under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 (PAIA) until 31 December 2020.

This extends the period granted under the previous notice which expires on 31 December 2015.

Section 51 of PAIA requires the head of a private body to compile a manual detailing the access to that body’s records and information.

If a body is exempt, there is no need to submit the manual to the South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC). The SAHRC suggests that an exempt body that has already drafted a manual upload the manual on its website and make it available at its office.