The section 1 of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. of 2013) (“POPI Act”) defines a “person” as meaning a natural or a juristic person. POPI Act, in this case, requires the Government Printing Works (GPW) to safeguard information in its possession. Further, section 36 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000) (the “Access to Information Act”) also requires GPW to ensure protection of commercial information relating to third parties. In this instance, section 36 finds expression in protecting the commercial interest of the companies that GPW does work with.
The Access to Information Act, in terms of section 42, also provides mechanisms under which a public body may not disclose information relating to economic interests and financial welfare of the Republic and commercial activities of public bodies.
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