PAIA Manual

1. Introduction

This manual is published in terms of section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA). It is intended to assist any person who wishes to request access to a record held by Spectrum Group (“Spectrum”). It sets out the type of records we hold and the procedure to be followed when requesting access to them.

2. Particulars of Spectrum Group

• Name: Spectrum Group
• Registration number: IT176/2008
• Information Officer: Lauren Weakley
• Deputy Information Officer: Tom Lamont
• Physical and postal address: 2 Alan Drive, Fairview, Gqeberha
• Telephone: 041 1000 789
• Email: enquiries@spectrumgroup.co.za

3. The Information Regulator’s guide on how to use PAIA

The Information Regulator has published a guide, in terms of section 10 of PAIA, on how to use the Act. The guide is available in each official language and explains how to exercise your rights under PAIA and the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). It can be obtained from the Information Regulator:

• The Information Regulator (South Africa)
• JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
• Website: inforegulator.org.za
• Email: PAIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za

4. Records available in terms of other legislation

Records are kept in accordance with, among others, the following legislation, subject to the conditions and exclusions set out in each. This list is not exhaustive and will be updated as required:

• Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002 (FAIS)
• Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001 (FICA)
• Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA)
• Companies Act 71 of 2008
• Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 and the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011
• Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 and the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995

5. Records held by Spectrum

Subject to PAIA, records may be available in the following categories:

• Client records: financial needs analyses, advice records, applications and correspondence.
• Company records: statutory, registration and licensing records.
• Financial records: accounting, tax and audit records.
• Personnel records: records relating to our employees and their employment.
• Service-provider records: agreements and correspondence with product and service providers.

Access to a record does not extend to information that is subject to a ground of refusal under PAIA (see section 8 below).

6. How to request access to a record

A requester must:

• complete the prescribed request form (Form 2 of the PAIA Regulations) and submit it to the Information Officer at the address in section 2 above;
• provide enough detail to enable us to identify the record and the requester, and to identify the form of access required;
• state the right the requester is seeking to exercise or protect, and explain why the record is required for that purpose; and
• provide an address and contact details, and state whether any other form of notification is required.

7. Fees

The prescribed fees under PAIA are payable. A request fee may be payable before a request is processed, and an access fee may be payable for the search, reproduction and preparation of the records, and for postage where applicable. The Information Officer will notify the requester of any fees payable and may withhold a record until the fee has been paid.

8. Grounds for refusal

A request for access may be refused on the grounds set out in Chapter 4 of Part 2 of PAIA. These include the mandatory protection of the privacy of a third party who is a natural person, the commercial information of a third party, and records privileged from production in legal proceedings.

9. Remedies

A requester who is dissatisfied with a decision may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator, or apply to a court, in the manner and within the periods set out in PAIA.

10. Availability of this manual

This manual is available on this website, at our offices during office hours, and on request from the Information Officer. For any queries, please see our Visit Us details or contact the Information Officer above.

Last updated: September 2026.