PAIA manual.
The manual of Edwin S Nkwana Incorporated Attorneys, prepared under section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA), explaining how to request access to records held by the firm.
Last updated: October 2026
1. Purpose of this manual
PAIA gives everyone the right to request access to records held by a private body, where the record is needed to exercise or protect a right. This manual explains what records the firm holds and how to request access to them.
2. Contact details
| Name of private body | Edwin S Nkwana Incorporated Attorneys |
|---|---|
| Head and Information Officer | Edwin Segafi Nkwana, Director |
| Physical address | 47 Sandton View Office Park, Block D, 10 Conduit Street, Lyme Park Ext 4, Bryanston |
| Postal address | Postnet Suite #271, Private Bag X10039, Randburg, 2125 |
| Telephone | 087 808 0432 |
| edwin@esninc.co.za | |
| Website | esninc.co.za |
3. The Regulator's guide on PAIA
The Information Regulator has published a guide on how to use PAIA and POPIA. It is available on the Regulator's website in all official languages, and can be requested from the Regulator:
Information Regulator (South Africa)
Woodmead North Office Park, 54 Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, Johannesburg, 2191
Telephone: 010 023 5200
Email: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za
Website: inforegulator.org.za
4. Records available without a request
The following records are available without a formal request:
- Information published on our website
- This PAIA manual
- Our privacy policy
5. Records kept under other legislation
The firm keeps records as required by, among others:
- Legal Practice Act 28 of 2014
- Companies Act 71 of 2008
- Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001
- Income Tax Act 58 of 1962
- Value-Added Tax Act 89 of 1991
- Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997
- Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995
- Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993
- Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013
6. Records held by the firm
| Client matters | Instructions, correspondence, pleadings, opinions, reports and other matter files. Most of these records are subject to legal professional privilege. |
|---|---|
| Finance | Accounting records, trust account records, invoices and tax records. |
| Company | Statutory and incorporation records, and minutes. |
| Personnel | Employment contracts, payroll, leave and disciplinary records. |
| Suppliers | Agreements and correspondence with service providers. |
| IT and website | Systems records and website enquiries. |
7. Processing of personal information
The firm processes personal information of clients, opposing and other parties in matters, employees, suppliers and website visitors. We process it to provide legal services, meet our legal obligations, manage our business and respond to enquiries.
Personal information may be shared with courts and tribunals, counsel, service providers and regulators where needed. Transfers outside South Africa take place only as permitted by section 72 of POPIA. Our security measures are described in our privacy policy.
8. How to request access
- Complete Form 2 (Request for Access to Record), available on the Information Regulator's website.
- Send the completed form to the Information Officer by email or post, using the details in section 2.
- Give enough detail to identify the record and the right you want to exercise or protect.
- If you are requesting on behalf of someone else, include proof of your authority.
We will decide on the request within 30 days of receiving it and tell you in writing. This period may be extended once, by up to 30 days, in the circumstances PAIA allows.
9. Fees
Fees are payable as prescribed in Annexure B of the PAIA Regulations, 2021. At the time of writing these are:
| Request fee | R140.00 |
|---|---|
| Copy of a printed or photocopied A4 page | R2.00 per page |
| Search and preparation, for each hour after the first | R145.00 per hour, up to R435.00 |
| Deposit, where search and preparation will take more than six hours | One third of the access fee |
| Postage, email or electronic transfer | Actual cost |
No request fee is payable by a requester asking for their own personal information.
10. Grounds for refusal
Access may or must be refused on the grounds set out in Chapter 4 of Part 3 of PAIA, including to protect:
- The privacy of a third party
- Commercial information of a third party
- Confidential information of a third party
- The safety of individuals and property
- Records privileged from production in legal proceedings
- Commercial information of the firm
- Research information
11. Remedies
The firm has no internal appeal procedure. If your request is refused, or you are unhappy with how it was handled, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator within 180 days, or apply to court.
Information Regulator (South Africa)
Woodmead North Office Park, 54 Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, Johannesburg, 2191
Telephone: 010 023 5200
Email: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za
Website: inforegulator.org.za
12. Availability and updates
This manual is available on our website and at our office. We review and update it regularly.