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PAIA / Sections / Section 52
Section 52

Voluntary disclosure and automatic availability of certain records

Part 3 · Access to Records of Private Bodies · Chapter 2 — Publication and Availability of Certain Records

(1) The head of a private body may, on a voluntary basis, make available in the prescribed manner a description of— (a) the categories of records of the private body that are automatically available without a person having to request access in terms of this Act, including such categories available— (i) for inspection in terms of legislation other than this Act; (ii) for purchase or copying from the private body; and (iii) from the private body free of charge; and (b) how to obtain access to such records.

(2) ...

(3) The only fee (if any) for access to a record referred to in subsection (1) is a prescribed fee for reproduction.

(4) The head of a private body may delete any part of a record contemplated in subsection (1)(a) which, on a request for access, may or must be refused in terms of Chapter 4 of this Part.

(5) Section 50 and any other provisions in this Act related to that section do not apply to any category of records included in a notice in terms of subsection (2).

[S 52(1) words preceding (a), and s 52(3), substituted by s 110 of Act 4 of 2013 with effect from 30 June 2021; s 52(1)(a)(ii) and (3) also amended by s 38 of Act 42 of 2001. S 52(2) deleted by s 110 of Act 4 of 2013 with effect from 30 June 2021.]
voluntary disclosureautomatic availabilityreproduction feeprivate body
Beyond the text

What this means in practice

  • This is optional: you may publish categories of records that are automatically available without a formal request — a practical way to reduce request volume.
  • The only fee for such records is a prescribed reproduction fee.
  • You can delete (redact) any part that would be refusable under Chapter 4 before making a record automatically available.
Relevant tool

PopiGuard helps you decide what to publish voluntarily — cutting request load while keeping refusable material protected.

See PopiGuard →