Eastern Cape Provincial Launch of the Guide on How to Use the Promotion of Access to Information Act

The Commissioner responsible for the right of Access to Information of the South African Human Rights Commission, Dr Leon Wessels will hand over a copy of the Guide on How to Use the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 to the Director-General of the Eastern Cape, Dr Sibongile Muthwa on the 8 June 2005, marking the provincial launch of the Guide. The Guide was launched nationally at the Commission’s Head Office in Johannesburg on the 1 March 2005. The launch will be hosted by the Office of the Director-General and will take place at the Treasury Boardroom in Bisho from 9h00 to 14h00.

It is hoped that South Africans will use the Guide – the first of its kind – to help them enjoy their right of access to information, for example, by accessing information about social security grants, housing and service delivery. The aim of the Guide is to provide assistance to any person who wishes to exercise their rights in terms of the Act. It takes readers through the process of requesting and accessing information under the Act.  The Guide is user-friendly, easy to understand, and is available in all of the 11 official languages. It is prepared in terms of section 10 of the Act.

The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) came into operation on 9 March 2001, with some provisions coming into operation on 15 February 2002.

It affords all persons the right of access to information held by the State, as well as access to information held by private bodies that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights. The object of the Act is to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in both the public and private sectors.

The Guide is available on the SAHRC website www.sahrc.org.za and will soon be made available at all offices of government departments, including all municipal offices, libraries and post offices.

The launch is open to the media

Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission

For more information contact

Commissioner Leon Wessels

Tel: 011 4848 300 ext  2293/2303

Eastern Cape Provincial Coordinator Sakhela Poswa

Tel: 014 582 4094