The right of access to information: The Constitutionality of the promotion of access to information bill

Abstract

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa ("the Constitution") as well as its precursor ("the interim Constitution") 2entrench the right of access to information. ln the Constitution the right of access to information is contained in section 32. Section 32(2) of the Constitution provides in express terms that national legislation should be enacted to give effect to the right of access to information and provides furthermore that the contemplated national legislation may provide for reasonable measures to alleviate the administrative and financial burden on the state. De Waal, Currie, and Erasmus 3 refer to the right of access to information contained in section 32 thus as "a right under construction".