POPIA and PAIA
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POPIA and PAIA

Compliance: POPIA & PAIA

 

Musina Local Municipality is committed to upholding the constitutional rights of all individuals to privacy and access to information. We operate in full compliance with two key pieces of South African legislation:

  • The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which governs how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data.
  • The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), which outlines your right to access information held by the municipality.

This page provides you with the necessary information and resources related to both Acts.

 

1. Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)

 

POPIA gives effect to your constitutional right to privacy. Musina Local Municipality is dedicated to processing your personal information lawfully, responsibly, and securely.

 

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

 

As a responsible public body, Musina Local Municipality (the “Responsible Party”) collects and processes personal information to carry out its mandated functions, such as providing municipal services (water, electricity, waste management), managing billing and accounts, handling human resources, and engaging with the public.

We commit to:

  • Lawfulness: Only collecting personal information that is necessary for our functions.
  • Minimality: Collecting only the information we truly need, and no more.
  • Purpose: Using your information only for the specific, defined purpose for which it was collected.
  • Security: Implementing appropriate and reasonable technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information from loss, damage, or unauthorized access.
  • Transparency: Being open about why we are collecting your information and what we will do with it.
  • Data Subject Rights: Upholding your right to access and correct your personal information.

 

Your Rights as a Data Subject

 

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

  • Be notified that your personal information is being collected.
  • Access the personal information we hold about you.
  • Request the correction, destruction, or deletion of your personal information.
  • Object to the processing of your personal information.
  • Object to your information being used for direct marketing.
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator if you believe we are misusing your information.

 

How to Query or Update Your Personal Information

 

If you have any questions about how we process your personal information, or if you wish to access or correct the information we hold, please contact the Information Officer.

 

2. Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA)

 

PAIA gives effect to your constitutional right of access to any information held by the state, including Musina Local Municipality, that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights.

 

Purpose of a PAIA Manual

 

To ensure transparency and accountability, all public bodies are required to compile a PAIA Manual. This manual serves as a guide, helping you understand:

  • The structure and functions of Musina Local Municipality.
  • The contact details of our Information Officer.
  • A description of the records we hold and which are automatically available.
  • The formal procedure to request access to a record that is not automatically available.

 

How to Request Access to Information

 

Step 1: Check for Automatically Available Information Before submitting a formal request, please check the Musina Municipality website (www.musina.gov.za) for information that is already publicly available, such as:

  • Council and committee meeting agendas and minutes
  • Annual reports and financial statements
  • Approved budgets
  • By-laws and policies
  • Tariff schedules
  • Service delivery information

Step 2: Submit a Formal PAIA Request If the information you need is not automatically available, you must submit a formal request using the prescribed Form 2 (Request for Access to Record of a Public Body).

This form must be submitted to the Information Officer. You can submit the form via:

  • Email: nathit@musina.gov.za (preferred)
  • Post: Private Bag X611, Musina, 0900
  • Hand-delivery: 21 Irwin Street, Musina, 0900

Please note:

  • The form must be completed in full.
  • You must provide sufficient detail to enable the municipality to identify the record(s) you are requesting.
  • Prescribed fees may apply for the request and for reproducing the records. The Information Officer will inform you of any applicable fees.

Step 3: Await Outcome The Information Officer will assess your request and provide a response within 30 days. This period may be extended under certain circumstances. If your request is granted, you will be given access to the record. If it is denied, you will be provided with written reasons for the refusal and details on how to appeal the decision.

 

Contact Details for the Information Officer

 

All requests, queries, or concerns related to POPIA or PAIA should be directed to the designated Information Officer for Musina Local Municipality.

  • Information Officer: Mr. Nathi Tshiwanammbi (Municipal Manager)
  • Telephone: 015 534 6181
  • Email: nathit@musina.gov.za
  • Postal Address: Private Bag X611, Musina, 0900
  • Physical Address: 21 Irwin Street, Musina, 0900

 

Further Recourse

 

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your POPIA or PAIA request, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

  • Website: www.inforegulator.org.za
  • POPIA Complaints: POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za
  • PAIA Complaints: PAIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za
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