PAIA access-to-information manual

1. Purpose and status

This manual explains how to request records from the business trading as Vula Connect under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA), and summarises relevant processing under the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). A private-body access request must meet the statutory requirements, including that the record is required to exercise or protect a right.

This page contains the business particulars currently available and general request guidance. It is not a complete section 51 manual; additional statutory particulars and business-specific disclosures are still needed.

2. Business particulars

Trading name

Vula Connect

Full legal name / legal form

AF Connect Link (Pty) Ltd (Trading as Vula Connect)

General contact

[email protected]

Website

www.vulaconnect.com
Manual: www.vulaconnect.com/paia-manual

3. The Regulator’s guide and assistance

The Information Regulator publishes a guide explaining PAIA, access procedures and remedies, with language versions available through its PAIA guidelines page. You may request help from the Regulator or the business’s Information Officer. Contact us to enquire about arrangements for inspection or obtaining a guide.

4. Publicly available records

Published service descriptions, pricing approach, contact information and website policy pages can be read on the website without a formal PAIA request. Published content may be saved or printed using a browser. Other records are not made public merely because their category appears below.

5. Records held and applicable legislation

This page does not set out a verified records inventory or legislation register. Statutory recordkeeping does not itself make a record publicly accessible.

6. How to request a record

1. Use the current PAIA Form 2 — Request for Access to Record from the Regulator.
2. Identify the requested record sufficiently for it to be located. State the right you wish to exercise or protect and explain why the record is required for that purpose.
3. Provide the requested contact details and indicate the form of access and preferred notification method. If acting for someone else, provide evidence of authority. Identity verification must be proportionate and handled securely.
4. Submit your request to the head or Information Officer. For routing assistance, contact [email protected]. Ask for a secure submission route before sending sensitive identity evidence.

If a disability prevents a written request, tell the Information Officer so appropriate assistance can be arranged. A general enquiry or marketing opt-out does not need to be converted into a PAIA request. Requests for your own personal information are also subject to POPIA.

7. Fees, decisions and access

Fees are governed by the applicable PAIA regulations, including relevant exemptions and the distinction between request and access fees. Consult the Regulator’s current PAIA resources. You must be told of applicable fees or any lawful deposit before payment is required, with the relevant outcome and fee notice. Refer to the current prescribed fees.

A decision is ordinarily required within 30 days of receiving the request. PAIA permits a single extension of up to a further 30 days only in the circumstances it specifies, with notice and reasons. If access is granted, the notice should explain how and when it will be provided and any fees. Failure to decide within the applicable time may constitute a deemed refusal.

PAIA contains grounds for refusing or limiting access, including protection of certain third-party personal, commercial, confidential or privileged information. A refusal must be based on the Act and explained; a general label of “confidential” is not enough. Severability, third-party notice procedures and the public-interest override must be considered where applicable. If a record cannot be found or does not exist, the statutory explanation procedure applies.

8. Remedies and regulator contact

A private body does not have the public-body internal appeal process under PAIA. If dissatisfied with a decision, fees, an extension or a deemed refusal, you may use the applicable statutory remedies. A complaint to the Regulator is generally due within 180 days of the relevant decision or deemed refusal; the Regulator may allow a late complaint on good cause. Use the current PAIA Form 5 and instructions. Court remedies are also available subject to PAIA’s procedural requirements and time limits.

Information Regulator (South Africa)
PAIA: [email protected]
POPIA: [email protected]
General: [email protected]
Telephone: 010 023 5200 / 0800 017 160
Physical address: Woodmead North Office Park, 54 Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, Johannesburg, 2191.

Current forms and submission options: PAIA information and the Regulator’s eServices portal.

9. Personal information processing

See the privacy policy for information about personal-information processing and rights procedures. Business-specific processing particulars are not set out in this manual.

10. Availability and updates

The manual should be accessible on the website, at the business’s principal place of business for inspection during normal business hours, and to the Regulator on request. Prescribed reproduction charges may apply to copies where permitted.

The head or Information Officer should keep the manual current when contact details, records or processing change.