South Africa Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) s24-27: ss.24 to 27 Decide within 30 days, extend once with reasons, and give full notices

What does s24-27 require?

The information officer must decide and notify the requester within 30 days of receipt (or transfer), except where third-party procedures apply; access may be deferred for a reasonable period if the record is due for publication within 90 days, must by law be published, or awaits submission to a legislature, with notice allowing representations within 30 days. A grant notice states the access fee, the form of access and the rights and procedures to challenge them; a refusal notice gives adequate reasons and the provisions relied on, without revealing the record's content, and the challenge routes. The period may be extended once by up to 30 days for large volumes, remote searches, necessary consultation or the requester's written consent, with notice within the original 30 days. A decision not given in time is a deemed refusal.