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Attention: Editors and Reporters
Saturday, 24 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) condemns the death of a police officer who was allegedly run over by a non-national outside Lichtenburg Mall in North West on 19 October 2026. The suspect has been arrested and appeared in court on a murder charge and immigration-related charges. The Commission condemns all acts of violence, including attacks against law enforcement officers. Such conduct constitutes serious criminal offences and must be addressed through the criminal justice system. No person is above the law, and no criminal act can be justified by the circumstances or nationality of the person responsible.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 23 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) has noted with concern the recent incident involving the delivery of contaminated water in Region 7 of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (City of Tshwane), affecting areas such as Bronkhorstspruit, Ekangala and Rethabiseng. The reported hospitalisation of approximately over 400 people, the majority of whom are children, further underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate intervention by the responsible authorities.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 22 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission), through its Child Rights Unit (CRU), launches its Conference Report, Children's Rights to Privacy and Safety on Online Platforms: Legislative Gaps and the Case for Reform (“The Report”). The report calls for wide-ranging amendments to South Africa's data protection, films and publications, cybercrime, and telecommunications laws to close gaps that leave children vulnerable to harm in digital spaces.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), through its Child Rights Unit (CRU), will launch its Conference Report, Children's Rights to Privacy and Safety on Online Platforms: Legislative Gaps and the Case for Reform. The report captures the findings of a stakeholders' conference held on 28 March 2026 in Johannesburg to underscore the urgent need to safeguard children in an increasingly digital world.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
A new research project profiling all 144 Water Services Authorities across South Africa reveals widespread failures in water service delivery and provides a powerful new tool to hold government accountable for realising the constitutional right to water. The launch of the Water Rights Tracker comes at a time when over 400 people have reportedly suffered gastrointestinal disease after drinking non-chlorinated water in the Bronkhorstspruit area.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) joins the country in commemorating Black Wednesday, observed annually on 19 October. On this day in 1977, the apartheid government banned The World and Weekend World newspapers, detained journalists and intensified its crackdown on media freedom and organisations resisting apartheid. Black Wednesday remains a stark reminder of the dangers of censorship and the importance of a free and independent media in a constitutional democracy.
19 October 2026
On 21 October 2026, the South African Human Rights Commission and the Claude Leon Chair in Earth Justice and Stewardship launch the Water Rights Tracker. The project maps the progress made in realising the right to water by profiling all 144 Water Services Authorities across the nine provinces of South Africa. The profiles depict a water services sector in crisis.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 16 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) joins the world in observing World Food Day and takes the opportunity to announce the next phase of its National Investigative Hearing into South Africa’s Food Systems.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 15 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC / Commission) is pleased to announce the establishment of its Section 11 Committee on the Right to Education, which held its inaugural meeting on 14 September 2026 at the Commission’s Head Office in Johannesburg.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: Monday, 12 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) welcomes the judgment delivered by the Equality Court in Gqeberha in the matter of South African Human Rights Commission and Another v Dawood Lagardien (Case No. 2391/2023).
Sunday, 11 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) is elated to offer its congratulations to Judge Navanethem Pillay on the well-deserved honour of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. She was duly recognised on 09 October 2026 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for her lifelong efforts to promote human rights, peace and international law.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Sunday, 11 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) is elated to offer its congratulations to Judge Navanethem Pillay on the well-deserved honour of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. She was duly recognised on 09 October 2026 by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for her lifelong efforts to promote human rights, peace and international law.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 09 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) calls for calm and condemns violent protests in eThekwini and Soweto. Reports indicate these protests follow the resumption of asylum processing at the Durban Refugee Centre.
Friday, 09 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) calls for calm and condemns violent protests in eThekwini and Soweto. Reports indicate these protests follow the resumption of asylum processing at the Durban Refugee Centre.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: Monday, 05 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC / Commission) joins South Africa and the international community in commemorating World Teachers’ Day and salutes the thousands of teachers who, every day, shoulder the immense responsibility of educating, nurturing and preparing the next generation.
Date: 05 October 2026
On 4 October 2026, through Justice Leona Theron of the Constitutional Court, the presiding judges of the 15th Annual South African National Schools Moot Court Programme declared the respondents’ team, comprising Nathi Thetha and Luvumo Bacela from Umtata High School in the Eastern Cape Province and Matsie Maenetja and Reneilwe Ncumalo from Klaas Mothapo Secondary School in the Limpopo Province, the winners of the coveted South African National Schools Moot Court Programme.
Date: 03 October 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD), will host the Grand Finale of the 15th Annual South African National Schools Moot Court Programme on 04 October 2026 at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD), will host the Grand Finale of the 15th Annual South African National Schools Moot Court Programme on 04 October 2026 at the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Date: 01 October 2026
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) joins the international community in commemorating the International Day of Older Persons under the theme “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.” This theme calls for fundamental changes to ensure that longer lives are accompanied by dignity, equality, security, good health and meaningful participation in society.
The Commission honours older persons’ contributions to families, communities and our constitutional democracy. Their knowledge, leadership, work and care continue to sustain society. Older persons are rights holders whose voices, choices and independence must shape the decisions that affect their lives.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
29 September 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), through its Child Rights Unit (CRU), will launch its Conference Report, Children's Rights to Privacy and Safety on Online Platforms: Legislative Gaps and the Case for Reform. The report captures the findings of a stakeholders' conference held on 28 March 2026 in Johannesburg to underscore the urgent need to safeguard children in an increasingly digital world.
About us
Understanding PAIA
The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
Sentinel House, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)