The City of Cape Town will this week host an awareness campaign covering the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and Public Access to Information Act (PAIA).
This, in an effort to ensure its residents are well-acquainted with the prescripts of SA’s data privacy legislative frameworks.
Driven by the city’s legal services department’s access to information unit, the awareness campaign will take place on Wednesday, 30 November.
The campaign aims to give the city the opportunity to make members of the public aware of their rights in terms of both Acts, according to the city’s statement.
Alderman Theresa Uys, mayoral committee member for corporate services, says: “As a public body, the city is obligated to give effect to the right to access information, in respect of records that are in the city’s possession or under its control.
“In addition, as a responsible party in terms of POPIA, the city is obligated to give effect to the right to privacy as enshrined in the Constitution.”
Headed by advocate Pansy Tlakula, the Information Regulator exercises its powers and performs its functions in accordance with POPIA and PAIA.
Its mandate is to enforce and monitor compliance by public and private bodies with the two pieces of legislation, so as to ensure the protection of information and effective access to information for all persons.
As of 30 June 2021, the Information Regulator took over the regulatory mandate functions relating to the PAIA from the South African Human Rights Commission.
PAIA gives effect to section 32 of the Constitution, which provides that everyone has the right of access to any information that is held by the state, as well as any information that is held by another person that is required for the protection of any rights.
According to the statement, the access to information unit will answer any questions related to POPIA or PAIA legislation, the city’s responsibilities under these acts and how it applies to residents.
Those interested can attend the awareness campaign on Wednesday, from 08:30 until 14:00, at the Cape Town Civic Centre.
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