The objects of this Act are (a) to give effect to the right of access to information in accordance with the Constitution; and (b) to establish voluntary and mandatory mechanisms or procedures to give effect to the right of access to information so as to facilitate swift, inexpensive and simple access to information; and (c) to promote transparency, accountability and effective governance by taking any steps necessary to (i) educate or inform the public of their rights in terms of this Act; and (ii) ensure that appropriate assistance is afforded to members of the public seeking to exercise their right of access to information in order to facilitate the exercise of the right. The Act establishes a duty on every responsible person or holder of a statutory office to keep, organise, maintain information and disclose it when required. Part III lays down provisions concerning the process for requesting access to information, response, refusal, deferment, forms of access, among others. Part IV provides for grounds of refusals of access of information, such as protection of personal or commercial information, protection of safety of individuals and property, and other forms of protections that are related to public entities, for instance protection of economic interests and financial welfare of State and commercial interests of public entities. A third party which may be protected in terms of Part IV has the right to be notified and is allowed to intervene when an entity is considering a request for access to information (Part V). Part VI regulates procedure on appeals to Commission (Zimbabwe Media Commission) and grants the right to lodge an appeal to (1) an applicant against any decision of an information officer in terms of this Act; and to (2) a third party against a decision of the information officer to grant a request for access to information concerning that third party’s information.
زيمبابوي · 2020-01-01