PAIA MANUALS

PAIA Manuals should have been Submitted to The Human Right’s Commission by 31 December 2011. However, following representations to the Department of Justice, as confirmed in the notice from the SAHRC below, an extension has been requested for companies that have not yet submitted their manuals. The details of the extension, if any, will be made available shortly.   SACCI will be advised as soon as there is firm information available and will let chambers know immediately.

"The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) aims to increase information flows, transparency and accountability within the public and private sector. The legislation requires private bodies to produce information manuals in terms of section 51 of the Act. Previously, small businesses were exempted by government from having to develop and submit these information manuals to the South African Human Rights Commission. The exemption from having to do so however lapses on the 31st of December 2011.

The Commission has made recommendations to the Department to exempt certain juristic persons from having to comply with the submission requirements in terms of the Act and is awaiting outcomes on these recommendations. The Commission has been advised that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is considering an extension of the exemption. In the interim, private bodies are requested to monitor the website of the South African Human Rights Commission which will carry a notice on the status of the exemption once received from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. Private bodies are urged to note that no private service providers have been approved or endorsed by Commission. Private bodies are to note further that no fee payments are required for the submission to the Commission. The penalty provisions which are in place to address non compliance have to date not been implemented.

To assist private bodies develop their manuals, the Commission has posted tools and a guidance note about compliance with section 51 of the legislation on its website www.sahrc.org.za. Contact details for the nerve centre dedicated to compliance in terms of the legislation are also posted on the website.  Access to the Commission through the website and the centre may be slow due to high demand volumes at present. For further enquiries: Vincent Moaga – 011 877 3636 vmoaga@sahrc.org.za"  

ABOUT US

The Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB) was constituted in August 2002 following unity negotiations among three former business organisations – the Pietermaritzburgse Sakekamer, the Midlands Black Business Chamber and the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Commerce and Industries.   In forming a new chamber of commerce and industry, the unifying bodies agreed to forego their independent identities.    Following the unification, the PCB was afforded the recognition of the local and provincial governments as the representative of the business community in Pietermaritzburg.

The PCB is an affiliate member of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) and through this national chamber is linked to the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) and the World Chambers Federation (WCF).    The PCB is a registered company in terms of section 21 of the Companies Act (2002/026810/08) and is also a registered Non-profit Organisation (027-519-NPO).

The membership of the PCB consists of over 900 companies, a membership that places the Chamber as the fourth-largest chamber of commerce in South Africa. To read more click here.