1. Introduction

The Promotion of Access to Information Act gives effect to the constitutional right of access to any information
held by the state and any information that is held by another person and that is required for the exercise or
protection of any rights.

Specifically, section 51(1) of the Act provides that within six months after the commencement of this section
(now the 31st August 2005) or within six months after coming into existence of the private body concerned, the
head of a private body must compile a manual that must contain information regarding the subjects and
categories of records held by such private bodies.

In this context, a “private body” is defined as any natural person who carries or has carried on any trade,
business or profession, but only in such capacity or any partnership which carries or has carried on any trade,
business or profession or any former or existing juristic person (e.g. any company, close corporation or
business trust).

GP van Niekerk Ondernemings BK  falls within the definition of a “private body” and this Manual has
been compiled in accordance with the said provisions and to fulfil the requirements of the Act.

In terms of the Act, where a request for information is made to a body, there is an obligation to provide the
information, except where the Act expressly provides that the information may not be released. In this context,
Section 9 of the Act recognises that access to information can be limited. The limitation relates to circumstances
where such release would pose a threat to the protection of privacy, commercial confidentiality, and the
exercising of efficient governance.

Accordingly, this manual provides a reference to the records held by GP van Niekerk Ondernemings BK   and the process that needs to be adopted to access such records.

All requests for access to information (other than information that is available to the public) must be
addressed to the Head of the Business named in section 2 of this Manual.

2. Business and Contact Details

Name of Business:	GP van Niekerk Ondernemings BK
Head of Business:	Mr Gerrit van Niekerk
Position:	Member
Postal Address:	211 Roos street, Meyerspark, 0184
Physical Address:	211 Roos street, Meyerspark, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0184
Phone Number:	010 591 2084
Fax Number:	086 537 4131
Email Address:	gerritvn@gpvno.co.za
Website:	gpvno.co.za

3. Manual and Guidelines

Section 10 of the Act provides that the South African Human Rights Commission must compile simple and
easily comprehensible guidelines on how to use the Promotion of Access to Information Act. This Guide can be
found at the following URL:
http://www.sahrc.org.za/

Any enquires relating to this guide should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Human
Rights Commission, 2nd Floor, Braampark Forum 3, 33 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein. Telephone 011 877 3750
or Fax 011 403 0668.

Copies of the Guide are also available at the following places:

• The office of the Government Communications and Information Services;
• Library of Parliament, Cape Town;
• The South African Library, Cape Town;
• Natal Society Library, Pietermaritzburg;
• The State Library in Pretoria;
• City Library Services, Bloemfontein;
• The National Film, Video and Sound Archives, Pretoria;

Copies of the Guide are also available in all official languages at the following offices:

• All offices of public bodies;
• All Magistrates’ Offices;
• All offices of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development;
• All Post Offices;

The Guide is also available at all offices and on the website of the South African Human Rights
Commission,www.sahrc.org.za.

4. Records available in terms of Section 52(2) of the Act

Not applicable.

5. Records that are held at the offices of the business

The following is a list of records that are held at the business’s office:

6. Information Request Procedure

• The requester must use the prescribed form to make the request for access to a record. A request form
  is available from our offices
  or at gpvno.co.za
• The request must be made to the Head of Business named in Section 2 above. This request must be
  made to the address, fax number or electronic mail address of the business.
• The requester must provide sufficient detail on the request form to enable the Head of Business to
  identify the record and the requester. The requester should also indicate which form of access is
  required. The requester should also indicate if any other manner should be used to inform the
  requester. If this is the case, please furnish the necessary particulars to be so informed.
• The requester must identify the right that is sought to be exercised or to be protected and must provide
  an explanation of why the requested record is required for the exercise or protection of that right.
• If a request is made on behalf of a another person, the requester must submit proof of the capacity in
  which the requester is making the request to the satisfaction of Head of Business aforesaid.
• The prescribed request fee must be attached.

We will respond to your request within 30 days of receiving the request by indicating whether your request for
access has been granted or denied.

Please note that the successful completion and submission of a request for access form does not automatically
allow the requestor access to the requested record.

Access will be granted to a record only if the following criteria are fulfilled:

• The record is required for the exercise or protection of any right; and
• The requestor complies with the procedural requirements set out in the Act relating to a request; and
• Access to the record is not refused in terms of any ground for refusal as contemplated in Chapter 4 of
  Part 3 of the Act.

7. Denial of access

Access to any record may be refused under certain limited circumstances. These include:

• The protection of personal information from unreasonable disclosure concerning any natural person;
• The protection of commercial information held concerning any third party (for example trade secrets);
• The protection of financial, commercial, scientific or technical information that may harm the commercial
  or financial interests of any third party;
• Disclosures that would result in a breach of a duty of confidence owed to a third party;
• Disclosures that would jeopardize the safety or life of an individual;
• Disclosures that would prejudice or impair the security of property or means of transport;
• Disclosures that would prejudice or impair the protection of a person in accordance with a witness
  protection scheme;
• Disclosures that would prejudice or impair the protection of the safety of the public;
• Disclosures that are privileged from production in legal proceedings unless the privilege has been
  waived;
• Disclosures of details of any computer programme;
• Disclosures that will put
  GP van Niekerk Ondernemings BK  at a disadvantage in contractual or other negotiations or prejudice it in commercial competition;
• Disclosures of any record containing any trade secrets, financial, commercial, scientific, or technical
  information that would harm the commercial or financial interests of GP van Niekerk Ondernemings BK
• Disclosures of any record containing information about research and development being carried out or
  about to be carried out by

If access to a record or any other relevant information is denied, our response will include:

• Adequate reasons for the refusal; and
• Notice that you may lodge an application with the court against the refusal and the procedure including
  details of the period for lodging the application.

8. Fees

The applicable fees are prescribed in terms of the Regulations promulgated under the Act.

There are two basic types of fees payable in terms of the Act.

9. Manual Availability

This Manual is available at the offices of the South African Human Rights Commission.

Copies may also be obtained from the Head of Business of
GP van Niekerk Ondernemings BK . In respect of hard copies, any transmission costs or postage will be for the account of the requester.

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