(Published in compliance with section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, No. 2 of 2000)

Introduction to the South African Council of Churches

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) is the facilitating body for a fellowship of Christian denominations, affiliated churches and para-church organisations. Founded in 1968, the SACC includes among its members Protestant, Catholic, African Independent, Pentecostal and Orthodox churches with a combined constituency of roughly 15 million members and adherents.

SACC members are committed to expressing jointly, through proclamation and programmes, the united witness of the church in South Africa. The SACC, acting on behalf of its member churches, is called by the Triune God to work for moral reconstruction in South Africa, focussing on issues of justice, reconciliation, integrity of creation and the eradication of poverty and contributing towards the empowerment of all who are spiritually, socially and economically marginalised.

1 Contact details

Requests for access to records in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, No. 2 of 2000, should be directed to:

The General Secretary
South African Council of Churches
PO Box 62098
Marshalltown
2107
Tel. 011 241 7800
Fax 011 492 1448
Email tmm@sacc.org.za

2 The section 10 Guide on how to use the Act

A printed copy of the Section 10 guide, produced by the South African Human Rights Commission, may be consulted at the Parliamentary Office of the South African Council of Churches (1 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, 8001). In addition, an electronic version of the Guide can be found at: http://www.sahrc.org.za/PAIA Guide Final.pdf.

For a printed copy of the guide or for further information on how the requester can get access to the Guide other than through the link provided above, please contact:

South African Human Rights Commission
PAIA Unit
The Research and Documentation Department
Private Bag 2700
Houghton
2041
Tel. +27 11 484-8300
Fax +27 11 484-0582
Web www.sahrc.org.za
E-mail PAIA@sahrc.org.za

3 Records available in terms of any other legislation

The South African Council of Churches is obliged to keep or submit records in terms of the following legislation:

Basic Conditions of Employment Act, No. 75 of 1997
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Health Diseases Act, No.130 of 1993
Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962
Occupational Health & Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993
Pension Funds Act, No. 24 of 1956
Unemployment Contributions Act, No. 4 of 2002
Unemployment Insurance Act, No. 63 of 2001
Value Added Tax Act, No. 89 of 1991

4 Access to the records held by the South African Council of Churches

i) Categories of records of the body, which are available without a person having to request access in terms of this Act in terms of section 52(2).

The Constitution of the SACC, resolutions adopted by the triennial SACC National Conference and intervening Central Committee meetings, and press statements issued by the Council are normally available on the Council's website: www.sacc.org.za.

ii) Records that may be requested. A description of the subjects of the records held by the body and the categories in which these subjects are classed.

The South African Council of Churches regularly maintains records of the following types:

Administration

• Minutes of meetings of structures established by the Council's constitution (National Conference, Central Committee, Executive Committee);
• Membership records;
• Correspondence;
• Annual reports;
• Strategic plans and assessments.

Human Resources

• Staff policies;
• Employment contracts;
• Job descriptions;
• Personnel records.

Finances

• Financial statements;
• Assets inventory;
• Membership subscriptions;
• Annual budgets;
• Banking and investment records.

iii) The request procedures

Form of request:

• The requester must use the prescribed form to make the request for access to a record. This must be made to the head of the private body. This request must be made to the address, fax number or e-mail address of the body concerned.


• The requester must provide sufficient detail on the request form to enable the head of the private body to identify the record and the requester. The requester should also indicate which form of access is required. The requester should also indicate if any other manner is to be used to inform the requester and state the necessary particulars to be so informed.


• The requester must identify the right that is sought to be exercised or to be protected and provide an explanation of why the requested record is required for the exercise or protection of that right.


• If a request is made on behalf of another person, the requester must then submit proof of the capacity in which the requester is making the request to the satisfaction of the head of the private body.

Fees:

A requester who seeks access to a record containing personal information about that requester is not required to pay the request fee. Every other requester, who is not a personal requester, must pay the required request fee:

• The head of the private body must notify the requester (other than a personal requester) by notice, requiring the requester to pay the prescribed fee (if any) before further processing the request.


• The fee that the requester must pay to a private body is R50. The requester may lodge an application to the court against the tender or payment of the request fee.


• After the head of the private body has made a decision on the request, the requester must be notified in the required form.


• If the request is granted then a further access fee must be paid for the search, reproduction, preparation and for any time that has exceeded the prescribed hours to search and prepare the record for disclosure.

5 Other information as may be prescribed

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has not made any regulations in this regard.

6 Availability of the manual

Single copies of this manual are available free of charge from the South African Council of Churches. The manual has also been submitted to the South African Human Rights Commission and posted on the SACC website (www.sacc.org.za).