PAIA gives effect to section 32 of the Constitution which provides for the right of access to: any information held by the state; any information that is held by another person and that is required for the exercise or protection of any right.
Legislation serves as the foundational framework guiding government department operations. It defines departmental responsibilities, outlines procedures, and sets standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law. Effective legislation provides a clear roadmap, empowering government departments to fulfill their mandates efficiently while safeguarding public interests.
The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA or the POPI Act) is a piece of legislation which governs the law of data protection and privacy in South Africa. The act was passed to regulate the right to privacy, as enshrined by section 14 of the Constitution of South Africa, and would work in conjunction with the Promotion of Access to Information Act. The President of South Africa assented to the Act on 19 November 2013. As part of the regulation a new government agency was created, the Information Regulator, an independent body which is empowered to monitor and enforce compliance of the POPI Act within the public and private sector.