1. Introduction
This PAIA Manual is published in accordance with Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (“PAIA”), which gives effect to the constitutional right of access to information held by private bodies where such information is required for the exercise or protection of rights. This manual assists requesters in understanding:
- What records Sovereign Food Investments holds
- How to request access to these records
- Applicable procedures and prescribed fees
- Contact details of the Information Officer
Sovereign Foods is a vertically integrated poultry producer operating across breeding, broiler farming, processing, distribution, and value-added product manufacturing.
2. Company Information
Legal Name: Sovereign Food Investments (Pty) Ltd
Registration Number: 1995/003990/07
Physical Address: 9 Kruis River Road, Kariega (Uitenhage), Eastern Cape, 6229
Postal Address: PO Box 124, Kariega (Uitenhage), 6230
Telephone: +27 41 995 1700
Website: www.sovereign.co.za
3. Information Officer & Deputy Information Officer
Information Officer: Thuto Maepa
Email: tmaepa@sovfoods.co.za
Tel: +27 41 995 1700
Deputy Information Officer: Grant Coley
Email: gcoley@sovfoods.co.za
The Information Officer is responsible for ensuring PAIA and POPIA compliance and for responding to requests for access to records.
4. Guide on How to Use PAIA
A guide compiled by the Information Regulator, as required by Section 10 of PAIA, is available from:
Website: https://inforegulator\.org\.za
Email: PAIA@inforegulator.org.za
5. Categories of Records Held by Sovereign Foods
5.1 Records Automatically Available (Public Records)
- Company profile and general information
- Sustainability and certification information
- Public product information
- Published policies on the company website
5.2 Records Available Without a PAIA Request (Internal Access Rights Apply)
- Employee policies and HR manuals (available to employees)
- Health & Safety documentation
5.3 Records Requiring a Formal PAIA Request
Company Records
- Governance documents
- Contracts and agreements
- Legal and compliance records
Financial Records
- Annual financial statements
- Tax records and accounting documents
HR & Employment Records
- Personnel files
- Payroll data
- Disciplinary records
Operational Records
- Production and processing data
- Quality assurance and animal welfare documentation
- Supplier and procurement contracts
IT & Security Records
- Access control logs
- CCTV footage (subject to POPIA)
6. Processing of Personal Information (POPIA Alignment)
Sovereign Foods processes personal information for legitimate business purposes, including:
- Employment administration
- Customer and supplier management
- Regulatory compliance
- Security and access control
Categories of Personal Information Processed
- Employee details
- Customer and supplier details
- Financial information
- CCTV and biometric data (where applicable)
Security Measures
- Access control systems
- Encryption and secure IT infrastructure
- Document retention and destruction protocols
7. Procedure for Requesting Access to Records
Requests must be submitted using Form 02 as prescribed by PAIA and addressed to the Information Officer.
Submission Method:
- Email: tmaepa@sovfoods.co.za
Request Requirements:
A valid request must:
- Be made on the prescribed form
- Provide sufficient detail to identify the record
- Include proof of identity
- Indicate the preferred access method
- Include payment of the prescribed request fee (if applicable)
8. Fees Payable
Fees are prescribed by Regulation 11 of PAIA.
Request Fee:
A non-refundable fee is payable before a request is processed.
Access Fees:
Charged based on:
- Number of pages copied/printed
- Time spent searching for the record
- Type of access (electronic/physical)
A requester will be notified before any additional fees are charged.
9. Grounds for Refusal of Access
Access may be refused on grounds including:
- Protection of personal information of third parties
- Commercially confidential information
- Legally privileged documents
- Safety and security concerns
- Records that cannot be found or do not exist
10. Availability of this Manual
This manual is available:
- On request from the Information Officer
- As a downloadable document for publication on the Sovereign Foods website
11. Updates to the Manual
This manual will be reviewed annually or whenever material changes occur.
Last updated: 16 February 2026