The Promotion of Access to Information Act 2000 requires all public and private bodies to compile manuals that must contain information which is to be made available in certain circumstances. A copy of the manual must be filed with the Commission for Human Rights. The date by which all private bodies are required to compile and file the manual is the 31st December 2015.
In essence, this means that if you are in business as a sole proprietor, partnership, close corporation, private or public company, business trust or co-operative, you are required to compile and file a Manual. This requirement also applies to each body-corporate of every residential complex in South Africa.
The cost of producing such a manual varies greatly, with some providers charging up to R5 000 for what is essentially a cut and paste job.
Alan Holton of Compliance Monitoring Systems, and associate of Moonstone, provides a very reasonable online option which was updated recently in line with certain minor legal amendments.
Access to Info’s online service only costs R199. The entire process should not take more than 20 minutes. In addition to compiling your manual, they take care of filing your manual electronically at the Commission for Human Rights, as required, plus assist with future updates.
Please feel free to share this information with your clients who may be affected.
Please click here to access the relevant webpage.
