INVITATION FOR COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT AND INTERIM REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT, 2000

28 August 2001

(ACT 2 of 2000)

The intention of the Ministry and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is to advise the President to put sections 10,14,16 and 51 into operation on 23 November 2001 and is therefore inviting the public to comment by Friday, 31 August 2001.

Through the application of the provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, transparency and accountability in the public and private bodies will be ensured.

The sections mentioned above deal with the following:

• A guide on how to use the Act,
• manuals on the functions of private and public bodies
• the index of records held by private and public bodies and
• the publication in telephone directories of information on the particulars of the information officers of public bodies.

Having this information at hand, members of the public will know what steps to take and who to approach in enforcing their rights.

In Government Gazette 22546 dated 10 August 2001, an invitation was issued inviting persons to comment on or before 31 August 2001 on the following:

• The proposed date of commencement of sections 10,14,16 and 51 of the Act, namely 23 November 2001
• The draft regulations; and
• The regulations published on 9 March 2001.

This invitation is also available on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's Website Http://www.doj.gov.za

ISSUED BY THE DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATION SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Enquiries: Connie van Vuuren
Phone: (012) 315 1706
Fax: (012) 328 5567
Email: Cvanvuuren@justice.gov.za