Promotion of Access to Information Manual

PURCO SA Manual in terms of Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act

PURCHASING CONSORTIUM SOUTHERN AFRICA NPO (PURCO SA)
Registration Number: 1999/023736/08 

I. PREAMBLE.

The Promotion of Access to Information Act No. 2 of 2000, ("the Act") came into operation on 3 November 2001. Section 51 of this Act requires that we as a private body compile a manual giving information to the public regarding the procedure to be followed in requesting information from us for the purpose of exercising or protecting rights.
 

II. INTRODUCTION TO PURCO SA.

PURCO SA is a not for profit purchasing consortium representing the higher education sector in Southern Africa. The organisation is a Membership Body, and our Members include all South African Public Universities, TVET Colleges, and Associated Members. You will find a list of Members on the website.

Our Services:

• For Members:
  We assist Members with tenders, contract negotiation and management, management consulting services and access to events and training. Our group includes a wholly owned subsidiary PURQ (purq.co.za) which is a public-private-partnership that verifies South African academic qualifications and student enrolments online. PURQ acts as agent of participating academic institutions on whose behalf data is captured and disclosed to third parties, in compliance with statutory guidelines.

  If you complete any webform on this website (e.g. by registering for an event or completing a survey) your details will be added to our Membership Database. In this event:

  • You agree to be subscribed to our email lists. Every email sent to you from our database will include an opportunity for you to unsubscribe.
  • You will receive emails and newsletters notifying you of tenders, contracts, events and opportunities we believe wil be of value for you or your organisation. 
  • You may request to have your data removed or unsubscribe from emails at any time.
     
• For Suppliers:
  Suppliers or prospective suppliers to higher education institutions may register on the PURCO SA Tender Database in order to receive information about tenders, events, and other general news related to higher education procurement matters. Suppliers may purchase tender documents and make tender bid submissions, and may be appointed as contracted suppliers with the associated regulatory and contractual disclosures and documentation. 

  ​If you complete any webform on this website (e.g. by registering on the Tender Database, registering for an event or completing a survey) your details will be added to our Tender Database. In this case:

  • You agree to be subscribed to our email lists. Every email sent to you from our database will include an opportunity for you to unsubscribe.
  • You will receive emails notifying you of tenders that match your product and service offering, and may receive emails about tenders that do not fall within your area of expertise. You will also receive news and event invitations, and emails about opportunities we believe will be of value for you or your organisation.
  • We cannot guarantee you will be notified of all news, events or relevant tenders. To ensure you do not miss any information visit our website and tenders page regularly,  and follow PURCO SA's social media accounts.
  • You may request to have your data removed or unsubscribe from emails at any time.

III. SECTION A:  OUR DETAILS.

IV. SECTION B:  THE OFFICIAL GUIDE.

Section 10 of the Act requires the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to publish a Guide containing information reasonably required by a person wishing to exercise or protect any right in terms of this Act. The Guide will contain the following information:

1. The objects of the Act.
2. Particulars of the information officer of every public body.
3. Particulars of every private body as are practicable.
4. The manner and form of a request for access to information held by a body.
5. Assistance available from both the information officers and the Human Rights Commission in terms of this Act.
6. All remedies in law regarding acts, omissions, rights and duties, including how to lodge an internal appeal and a court application.
7. Schedules of fees to be paid in relation to requests for access to information.
8. Regulations made in terms of the Act.
9. Copies of this Guide will be available as soon as it is published by the SAHRC.
10. Enquiries regarding the Guide can be addressed to the SAHRC, the contact details of which are as follows.

    South African Human Rights Commission
    Promotion of Access to Information Act Unit
    Research and Documentation Department Private
    Private Bag 2700, Houghton, 2041
    Telephone: (011) 484-8300
    Fax: (011) 484-0582
    Website: www.sahrc.org.za
    E-mail: PAIA@sahrc.org.za
     

V. SECTION C:  INFORMATION AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF THE ACT

We hold the following categories of information:
 

• (a) STATUTORY COMPANY INFORMATION.
• (b) ACCOUNTING RECORDS.
• (c) STATUTORY EMPLOYEE RECORDS.
• (g) FIXED PROPERTY.
• (i) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
• (j) AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS.
• (k) TAXATION.
• (m) INSURANCE.
• (n) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

VI.  PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING ACCESS TO THE ABOVE INFORMATION.

If you wish to request access to any of the above categories of information, you are required to complete a request form as set out in annexure "A" hereto. These forms are available from our CEO/Information Officer (whose contact details are in section A of this manual).

There is a prescribed fee (payable in advance) for requesting and accessing information in terms of the Act. Details of these fees are contained in the request form.

You may also be called upon to pay the additional fees prescribed by regulation for searching for and compiling the information which you have requested, including copying charges.

It is important to note that access to information is not automatic - you must identify the right you are seeking to exercise or protect and explain why the record you request is required for the exercise or protection of that right. You will be notified in the manner indicated by you on the request form whether your request has been approved.
 

VII.  ANNEXURE "A".

Form C.

Request for access to record of private body (Sex\ction 53(1) of the Promotion of Access to Information Act. 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000)) [Regulation 10]
 

VIII. ANNEXURE "B".

FEES IN RESPECT OF PRIVATE BODIES

1. The fee for a copy of the manual as contemplated in regulation 9 (2) (c) is R1.10 for every photocopy of an A4-size page or part thereof.
2. The fees for reproduction referred to in regulation 11(1) are as follows:
    

   Item	Cost
   For every photocopy of an A4-size page or part thereof	R1.10
   For every printed copy of an A4-size page or part thereof held on a computer or in electronic or machine-readable form	R0.75
   For a copy in a computer-readable form on: - Stiff disc - Compact disc	R7.50 R70.00
   For a transcription of visual images, for an A4-size or part thereof	R40.00
   For a copy of visual images	R60.00
   For a transcription of an audio record, for an A4-size page or part thereof	R20.00
   For a copy of an audio record	R30.00

    

3. The request fee payable by a requester, other than a personal requester, referred to in regulation 11 (2) is R50.00.
4. The access fees payable by a requester referred to in regulation 11 (3) are as follows:
    

   Item	Cost
   For every photocopy of an A4-size page or part thereof	R1.10
   For every printed copy of an A4-size page or part thereof held on a computer or in electronic or machine-readable form	R0.75
   For a copy in a computer-readable form on: - Stiff disc - Compact disc	R7.50 R70.00
   For a transcription of visual images, for an A4-size or part thereof	R40.00
   For a copy of visual images	R60.00
   For a transcription of an audio record, for an A4-size page or part thereof	R20.00
   For a copy of an audio record	R30.00
   To search for and prepare the record for disclosure,	R30.00 for each hour or part of an hour reasonably required for such search and preparation.

    

5. For purposes of section 54 (2) of the Act, the following applies:
   • Six hours as the hours to be exceeded before a deposit is payable; and
   • one third of the access fee is payable as a deposit by the requester.
   • The actual postage is payable when a copy of a record must be posted to a requester