If something on Who Serves is wrong, we want to fix it — quickly, openly and without anyone needing a lawyer. This procedure is free, and it is the fastest way to resolve any concern about the record.
How to ask for a correction
Email queries@whoservessa.com. Every person's page has an "Is something wrong?" box with a link that fills in the details for you. Please tell us:
- the page (a link is best);
- what is wrong; and
- a link to, or copy of, the public record that shows the correct position (for example, a judgment, a notice of withdrawal, a gazette or an official announcement).
Office-holders and their offices can also use the "Is this you?" form on their own page to correct qualifications.
What happens next
- We acknowledge your message within two working days.
- An editor checks it against the sources, and we aim to decide within ten working days.
- If we agree, we correct the record, date the correction and tell you. If we don't, we explain why in writing.
Urgent requests
If you believe something on the site is seriously wrong and is causing serious harm — for example, a record attached to the wrong person — put "URGENT" in the subject line. We aim to review urgent requests within one working day, and where there is a real prospect that an item is wrong, we will hide it while we check.
Right of reply
Anyone who is the subject of an accountability record may send a reply. We will publish a relevant reply of up to 200 words alongside the record, attributed to them, provided it is not unlawful and does not make allegations about other people. We may edit a reply for length after agreeing the edit with its author.
Outcomes and updates
If a matter recorded on Who Serves has moved on — charges withdrawn, an acquittal, a finding set aside on review, a successful appeal — send us the record of the outcome and we will update the entry promptly, as prominently as the original.
What we won't do
We will not remove accurate information about a person's public office, or their conduct in it, simply because it is unwelcome. We will always correct errors, add context and outcomes, and publish replies. Requests about personal information are dealt with under our privacy policy.
If you're not satisfied
- Ask for an internal review by writing to queries@whoservessa.com with "Review" in the subject line. A person who was not involved in the first decision will review it and reply in writing, normally within 15 working days.
- For concerns about personal information, you may complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa), inforegulator.org.za.
Before you send a letter of demand
Please use this procedure first. It costs nothing, it's faster than any legal process, and it gets errors fixed within days. Letters of demand and legal process should be directed to queries@whoservessa.com.
We think you should also know where we stand. Who Serves publishes information that is already part of the public record, attributes every item to its source, states the stage each matter has reached, publishes outcomes and replies, and corrects errors promptly. South African law protects publication of this kind:
- truth and public benefit, fair comment and reasonable publication are recognised defences to defamation claims (National Media Ltd v Bogoshi 1998 (4) SA 1196 (SCA));
- politicians and other public figures are expected to tolerate robust scrutiny of how they exercise public power (for example, Mthembi-Mahanyele v Mail & Guardian Ltd 2004 (6) SA 329 (SCA));
- organs of state cannot sue for defamation (Die Spoorbond v South African Railways 1946 AD 999);
- the Constitutional Court has recognised a defence against strategic litigation brought to silence public participation — "SLAPP" suits (Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Ltd v Reddell [2022] ZACC 37); and
- the Constitution protects freedom of expression and the right to receive and impart information (section 16), and requires public administration to be accountable and transparent (section 195).
We will defend the record against any claim that seeks to suppress accurate, public-interest information, using every defence available to us, including those above, and will seek our costs. If, on the other hand, we have got something wrong, we will fix it — just tell us.