The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) allows members of the public to know who they are dealing with in a business or private body. To be compliant with Section 51 of the Act, all public and private bodies including companies, partnerships, close corporations, trusts, bodies corporate and homeowners’ associations must submit a PAIA manual (also known as a “Section 51 Manual”) to the Human Rights Commission before 31 December 2015. Non-compliance invites a fine or possible imprisonment.
