Use the prescribed form
Complete PAIA Form C (request for access to a record of a private body), available from the Information Regulator's website.
PAIA manual
Access to information, as the law provides
This manual is published under section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA), read with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
1. The private body
SoftGids operates an independent business software review platform for the South African market. This manual tells you what records we hold and how to request access to them under PAIA.
Private body
SoftGids
Location
Cape Town, South Africa
Information Officer
hello@softgids.co.za
Phone
+27 21 300 4820
2. The Information Regulator's guide
The Information Regulator has published a guide, in each official language, on how to use PAIA. It explains the objects of the Act, the manner and form of requests, the assistance available from Information Officers and the remedies available when a request is refused. The guide is available from the Information Regulator at inforegulator.org.za or by email to the Regulator's offices in Johannesburg.
3. Categories of records we hold
The following categories of records are held by SoftGids. Listing a category does not mean a record within it is automatically available; every request is assessed under the grounds for access and refusal in PAIA.
Company records
Founding documents, statutory registers, policies and procedures
Financial records
Accounting records, banking details, invoices, tax and SARS correspondence
Personnel records
Employment contracts, remuneration records, statutory employee submissions
Platform records
Published reviews and ratings, editorial content, moderation decisions
Subscriber and user records
Newsletter subscriptions, contact form messages, review verification data
Commercial records
Vendor and affiliate agreements, correspondence with partners and suppliers
Records automatically available without a PAIA request include everything published on this website: software listings, verified reviews, comparisons, guides and our public policies.
4. How to request access to a record
Identify the record
Describe the record clearly enough for us to locate it, state which right you are exercising or protecting, and explain why the record is required for that right.
Send it to the Information Officer
Submit the completed form to the contact details below. Proof of identity accompanies every request.
We respond within 30 days
We acknowledge the request and respond within the 30 day period PAIA allows, granting access, or refusing with reasons under the grounds in the Act.
The fees prescribed under PAIA apply to requests, including a request fee and access fees for search, preparation and reproduction where applicable. We advise the fee before processing so there are no surprises.
5. Personal information and POPIA
SoftGids processes personal information, reviewer verification details, newsletter subscriptions and contact messages, under POPIA. The purposes of processing, the categories of data subjects and the security measures we apply are set out in our privacy policy. Data subjects may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their personal information by contacting the Information Officer at hello@softgids.co.za.
Availability of this manual
This manual is available free of charge on this page, and on request from the Information Officer by email. It is reviewed and updated whenever our details or record categories change materially.