(3)
If the request for access is refused, the notice in terms of subsection (I) (b) must(a)
state adequate reasons for the refusal, including the provisions of this Act relied upon:
(b)
exclude from such reasons, any reference to the content of the record; and
(c)
state that the requester may lodge an internal appeal or an application with a court as the
case may be against the refusal of the request, and the procedure (including the period)
for lodging the internal appeal or application, as the case may be.
26
Extension of period to deal with request
(1)
The information officer to whom a request for access has been made or transferred,
may extend the period of 30 days referred to in section 25 (1) (in this section referred to as the
'original period') once for a period of not more than 30 days, if(a)
the request is for a large number of records or requires a search through a large number of
records and compliance with the original period would unreasonably interfere with the
activities of the public body concerned;
(b)
the request requires a search for records in, or collection thereof from, an
office of the public body not situated in the same town or city as the office of the
information officer that cannot reasonably be completed within the original period;
(c)
consultation among divisions of the public body or with another public body is necessary
or desirable to decide upon the request that cannot reasonably be completed within the
original period;
(d)
more than one of the circumstances contemplated in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) exist in
respect of the request making compliance with the original period not reasonably
possible; or
(e)
the requester consents in writing to such extension.
(2)
If a period is extended in terms of subsection (1), the information officer must, as
soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within 30 days, after the request is received or
transferred, notify the requester of that extension.
(3)
The notice in terms of subsection (2) must state(a)
(b)
(c)
27
the period of the extension;
adequate reasons for the extension, including the provisions of this Act relied upon; and
that the requester may lodge an internal appeal or an application with a court, as the case
may be against the extension, and the procedure (including the period) for lodging the
internal appeal or application, as the case may be.
Deemed refusal of request
If an information officer fails to give the decision on a request for access to the requester
concerned within the period contemplated in section 25 ( I ), the information officer is, for the
purposes of this Act, regarded as having refused the request.
28
Severability