PAIA Manual
Last updated: 1 September 2026
Manual in terms of Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000
1. Introduction
The Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA) gives effect to the constitutional right of access to information held by both public and private bodies. This manual is published by Robertson Connect in terms of section 51 of PAIA, to help you understand what information we hold and how to request access to it.
This manual should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains how we process personal information under POPIA, and our Terms & Conditions.
2. About Robertson Connect
Robertson Connect
Physical address: De Groene Oewers, Robertson, 6705
Email: info@robertsonconnect.co.za
Website: robertsonconnect.co.za
Robertson Connect operates an online business directory, classifieds and job listings platform serving the Robertson area.
3. Contact details of the Information Officer
Requests for access to records held by Robertson Connect should be directed to our Information Officer:
Information Officer: D Botha
Email: info@robertsonconnect.co.za
4. The guide on how to use PAIA
Section 10 of PAIA requires the Information Regulator to publish a guide, in an easily comprehensible form, containing information to help a person exercise their rights under PAIA. This guide is available:
On the Information Regulator's website: inforegulator.org.za
From the Information Regulator directly, at: 33 Hoofd Street, Forum III, Braampark, Braamfontein, Johannesburg (or the Regulator's current published address — please confirm on their website)
There is no charge for the guide.
5. Records automatically available (no request needed)
In terms of section 52 of PAIA, we may voluntarily make certain categories of records available without requiring a formal request. The following are freely available on our website, at no charge:
This PAIA manual
Our Privacy Policy
Our Terms & Conditions
Our About Us page
Publicly published business listings, classifieds, job posts, and medical listings (this is content businesses and individuals have chosen to publish publicly)
6. Categories of records held by Robertson Connect
The list below describes the general categories of records we hold. This doesn't mean every record in a category will be disclosed on request — some may be subject to the grounds for refusal set out in §9.
Category Examples
Personal information (account holders): Email addresses, authentication details.
Listing information: Business name, contact details, address, description, photos, hours, owner name/photo/bio.
Payment and financial records: Payment references, amounts, status, subscription tokens (processed via PayFast); records required under tax and financial legislation.
Usage and analytics records: Listing views, contact-button clicks, aggregate performance data.
Support and correspondence records: Emails and messages sent to us via the Support page or other channels.
Corporate and compliance records: Company registration documents, this PAIA manual, our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions, internal compliance records.
7. How to request access to a record
If you want access to a record that isn't automatically available under §5, you may submit a formal request under PAIA:
Use the prescribed request form for access to a record of a private body, available from the Information Regulator's website, or from our Information Officer on request.
Address your request to our Information Officer using the contact details in §3.
Provide sufficient detail to identify the record you're requesting and to identify yourself, including proof of identity.
Indicate the form of access you want (for example, a copy, or an opportunity to inspect the record) and how you'd like to be notified of the outcome.
Pay the prescribed request fee (see §8) — we may withhold processing until this is paid.
We'll respond within 30 days of receiving a valid request, as required by PAIA. This period may be extended once, by a further 30 days, in the circumstances permitted under section 57 of PAIA (for example, if the request involves a large volume of records).
8. Fees
Private bodies are entitled to charge a prescribed request fee, and — where access is granted — an access fee (for example, per photocopied page) and a deposit for requests that will take a long time to process. These amounts are prescribed by regulation and are periodically updated by the Information Regulator.
9. Grounds on which a request may be refused
We may be required or entitled to refuse a request for access in certain circumstances set out in PAIA, including where the record contains:
Personal information about a third party, where disclosure would be an unreasonable invasion of that person's privacy;
Commercially sensitive or confidential information belonging to us or a third party;
Information protected by legal professional privilege;
Information that would prejudice our commercial or financial interests if disclosed; or
Information that PAIA otherwise permits or requires us to withhold.
If we refuse a request, we'll notify you of the refusal and the reasons for it, as required by PAIA.
10. Your right to complain or apply to court
Unlike requests to public bodies, PAIA doesn't provide an internal appeal process for decisions made by private bodies. If you're unhappy with our decision on your request, you may:
Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator:
Website: inforegulator.org.za
Complaints email: complaints.IR@justice.gov.za
Apply to a court with jurisdiction to review our decision, as provided for under PAIA.
11. Availability of this manual
This manual is available:
On our website, at robertsonconnect.co.za
At our principal place of business, for inspection during normal business hours
On request from our Information Officer, at a reasonable copying fee if a physical copy is required
12. Updates to this manual
We update this manual on a regular basis to keep it accurate. The date at the top of this page reflects the most recent update.