Freedom of Information Act, 2020 (11) 9. Subject to subsection (1) where any part of the information requested can be provided within the period specified under subsection (1), an information officer shall respond as soon as possible with respect to the available information. Extension of time (1) (2) 10. Zimbabwe Subject to subsection (2), an information officer to whom a request is made in terms of section 8(1) may, within the initial twenty-one days, seek the consent of the applicant for an extension of time for a period not exceeding fourteen days if— (a) the request is for a large amount of information or requires a search through a large amount of information, and meeting the original time limit would unduly interfere with the operations of the entity concerned; or (b) consultations that cannot reasonably be completed within twenty-one days are necessary to comply with the request. Where an applicant is of the view that the seeking of consent to extend time by the principal officer is merely dilatory, or the information officer does not obtain the consent of the applicant for the extension, the applicant or the information officer, as the case may be, may lodge an appeal with the Commission in terms of section 35. Deemed refusal (1) If an information officer fails to notify a decision on a request for access to information— (a) within the period specified in section 8(1); or (b) where that period has been extended in accordance with section 9, within the extended period; the information officer shall be deemed to have refused the request. (2) 11. When an information officer is deemed to have refused a request for access to information an applicant may lodge an appeal to the Commission in terms of section 35. Deferment of access (1) (2) An information officer who receives a request may defer the provision of access to the information if— (a) the information has been prepared for presentation to Parliament; or (b) the information or part thereof constitutes a report that has been prepared for the purpose of reporting to a public entity or to a public officer, but only until the report has been presented or made available to that public entity or public officer or upon the expiration of thirty days from the date of the request, whichever is the sooner; or (c) the information is sub judice. If an information officer defers access to information in terms of subsection (1), he or she must notify the applicant in writing of— (a) the deferral within twenty-one days of the date of the request; and (b) the reason for the deferral, including the provisions of this Act relied on; and (c) the likely period for which access is to be deferred; and (d) the applicant’s right to make representations, within fourteen days of receiving notice, to the information officer regarding why the information is required before such presentation, in the case of a deferral by reason of subsection (1)(a) or (b). By Laws.Africa and contributors. Licensed under CC-BY. Share widely and freely. 6