You have the right to access information held by the government or by a private person when you need it to protect your rights. The Promotion of Access to ...
FreeChapter 2 — Bill of RightsConstitution of South Africa, 1996
The Constitutional Text
What Section 32 Says
(1) Everyone has the right of access to— (a) any information held by the state; and (b) any information that is held by another person and that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights. (2) National legislation must be enacted to give effect to this right, and may provide for reasonable measures to alleviate the administrative and financial burden on the state.
What This Means for You
Plain-Language Explanation
Practical Significance
You have the right to access information held by the government or by a private person when you need it to protect your rights. The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) gives effect to this right.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access information from a government department?
Submit a PAIA request using Form A (for public bodies). The department must respond within 30 days. If refused, you can appeal internally and then to the Information Regulator.
Does Section 32 apply to private companies?
Yes — where the information is needed to exercise or protect a right. PAIA applies to both public and private bodies, though the threshold for private body requests is slightly higher.
The Advocate gives you 149 real South African scenarios — with exact rebuttals grounded in the Constitution, statute law, and Scripture. Know your rights. Know your word.