PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ACT 2013 (POPI)  

CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IN TERMS OF THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ACT 2013 (POPI)  
 
Introduction 
 
The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI) aims to give effect to the constitutional right to privacy by balancing the right to privacy against that of access to information. POPI requires that personal information pertaining to individuals be processed lawfully and in a reasonable manner that does not infringe on the right to privacy.
 
This consent form sets out how personal information will be collected, used and protected by SACI, as required by POPI. The use of the words “the individual” for the purposes of this document shall be a reference to any individual communicating with SACI and/or concluding any agreement, registration or application, with the inclusion of each individual referred to or included in terms of such agreement, registration or application. 
 
What is personal information?
 
The personal information that SACI requires relates to names and surnames, birth dates, identity numbers, passport numbers, demographic information, education information, occupation information, health information, addresses, memberships, personal and work email and contact details.
 
What is the purpose of the collection, use and disclosure (the processing) of personal information? 
 
SACI is legally obligated to collect, use and disclose personal information for the purposes of: 
 
• evaluate and process applications; 
• compiling statistics; 
• providing personalized communications; 
• complying with the law; 

How will SACI process personal information? 

SACI will only collect personal information for the purpose stated above. Information will be collected in the following manner: 
• directlyt from the individual; 
• online applications or registrations; 
• from our own records relating to our previous events;
 
To whom will personal information be disclosed? 

Personal information will only be used by SACI. 
 
Consent and Permission to process personal information: 

• I hereby provide authorization to SACI to process the personal information.
• I understand that withholding of or failure to disclose personal information will result in SACI being unable to perform its functions and/or any services or benefits I may require from SACI. 
• I indemnify and hold SACI harmless in respect of any claims by any other person on whose behalf I have consented; against SACI should they claim that I was not so authorized.
• I understand that in terms of POPI and other laws of the country, there are instances where my express consent is not necessary in order to permit the processing of personal information, which may be related to police investigations, litigation or when personal information is publicly available.
• I will not hold SACI responsible for any improper or unauthorized use of personal information that is beyond its reasonable control. 

Rights regarding the processing of personal information: 

• The individual may withdraw consent to the processing of personal information at any time, and should they wish to do so, must provide SACI with reasonable notice to this effect. Please note that withdrawal of consent is still subject to the terms and conditions of any contract that is in place. Should the withdrawal of consent result in the interference of legal obligations, then such withdrawal will only be effective if SACI agrees to same in writing. SACI specifically draws to the attention that the withdrawal of consent may result in it being unable to provide the requested information and/or services or other benefits. Further, please note that the revocation of consent is not retroactive and will not affect disclosures of personal information that have already been made. 

• In order to withdraw consent, please contact the SACI on saci.chem@wits.ac.za

• Where personal information has changed in any respect, the individual is encouraged to notify SACI so that our records may be updated. SACI will largely rely on the individual to ensure that personal information is correct and accurate. 

• The individual has the right to access their personal information that SACI may have in its possession. Please note however, that any request in this regard may be declined if: 
- the information comes under legal privilege in the course of litigation, 
- the disclosure of personal information in the form that it is processed may result in the disclosure of confidential information, 
- giving access may cause a third party to refuse to provide similar information to SACI,  the information as it is disclosed may result in the disclosure of another person’s information, 
- the information contains an opinion about another person and that person has not consented,
- the disclosure is prohibited by law. 

Requesting access and lodging of complaints: 

• Please submit any requests for access to personal information in writing to SACI at saci.chem@wits.ac.za
• With any request for access to personal information, SACI will require the individual to provide personal information in order to verify identification and therefore the right to access the information. 
• There may be a reasonable charge for providing copies of the information requested.