PAIA Manual

We Love Magalies is the public tourism and community platform operated by the Magalies Business & Tourism Forum (MBTF), a private body based in Magaliesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Direct PAIA and information-access requests to the Information Officer, MBTF, at info@welovemagalies.co.za. This online manual is available without charge.

This manual explains the main categories of records held by MBTF and the process for requesting access under the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA). PAIA gives effect to the constitutional right of access to information, subject to the grounds on which access may lawfully be refused.

Personal-information access, correction, deletion, and objection requests may also be handled under the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). See the Privacy & POPIA Notice for that process.

The Information Regulator publishes an official PAIA guide explaining how to use the Act, the prescribed forms, possible fees, assistance available, and remedies if a request is refused. The current guide and forms are available from the Information Regulator's PAIA portal.

Depending on current operations and applicable retention periods, MBTF may hold:

• governance, membership, policy, and meeting records;
• business-directory profiles, approvals, updates, and correspondence;
• event listings, organiser submissions, programmes, and vendor applications;
• contracts, supplier, service-provider, insurance, and compliance records;
• financial, membership-fee, invoice, payment-reference, and accounting records;
• marketing, editorial, brand, media, and website-content records;
• enquiries, mailing preferences, complaints, and support correspondence;
• employee, contractor, volunteer, and office-administration records; and
• website security, access-control, technical, and incident records.

Inclusion in this list does not mean that every category exists or that a record is automatically available. Access depends on whether MBTF holds the specific record and whether PAIA permits or requires its disclosure.

Public website pages, approved directory listings, published event information, website terms, and privacy notices can be accessed directly without submitting a PAIA form. Public material may change as listings and events are updated.

For another routinely available record, email MBTF first. If the record cannot be supplied informally, MBTF will direct you to the formal request process.

Records may be created or retained under legislation applicable to a South African private body and its actual activities, including PAIA, POPIA, tax and accounting legislation, company or non-profit governance requirements, labour legislation where applicable, consumer-protection requirements, and electronic communications law. This is a practical description, not a claim that every statute applies to every MBTF activity.

Use the prescribed request form published by the Information Regulator and send the completed form to the MBTF Information Officer. Identify the record precisely, explain the right you seek to exercise or protect, state the form in which you need access, and provide contact details for the response.

If you act for someone else, include proof of authority. If a disability prevents you from completing the written form, explain what assistance or accessible format you need. Do not send identity documents or sensitive financial details by ordinary email unless the Information Officer first confirms a secure method.

Prescribed request, search, preparation, reproduction, or delivery fees may apply. Where a fee is payable, MBTF will provide the required notice and will not begin chargeable work until the prescribed payment or deposit has been addressed.

MBTF will consider the request within the period required by PAIA and communicate whether access is granted, granted in part, transferred, extended, or refused. A refusal will identify the applicable ground and available next step, subject to the Act.

PAIA protects third-party privacy, confidential commercial information, safety, privileged material, and certain other interests. MBTF may redact protected parts, consult an affected third party, or refuse access where the Act requires or permits it. A record that does not exist or cannot reasonably be found cannot be supplied.

If you disagree with the outcome, the decision notice will explain the remedy available under PAIA. You may seek assistance from or complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa), or approach a court where the Act permits.

The current manual is available on this page. MBTF will review it as the organisation, categories of records, contact channels, or legal requirements change. Questions may be sent to info@welovemagalies.co.za.