Transforming Society
Securing Rights
Restoring Dignity
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Saturday, 19 September 2020
It is with great sadness and shock that the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has learnt about the untimely passing of a Former Commissioner of the SAHRC, Dr. Danny Titus.
Saturday, 19 September 2020
It is with great sadness and shock that the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has learnt about the untimely passing of a Former Commissioner of the SAHRC, Dr. Danny Titus.
For immediate Release: 17 September 2020
To: Editors, Producers and Reporters
Following Caster Mokgadi Semenya’s loss on her appeal at the Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) met on the 15th September 2020 to chart the way forward on this issue of gross human rights violations.
To: Editors, Producers and Reporters
Following Caster Mokgadi Semenya’s loss on her appeal at the Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) met on the 15th September 2020 to chart the way forward on this issue of gross human rights violations.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 16 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is instituting legal proceedings against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Equality Court. The Commission commenced proceedings at the Equality Court on the 19th of August 2020 regarding content distributed by the EFF on 14 September 2019.
Wednesday, 16 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is instituting legal proceedings against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Equality Court. The Commission commenced proceedings at the Equality Court on the 19th of August 2020 regarding content distributed by the EFF on 14 September 2019.
16 September 2020
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On Wednesday, 16 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) will conduct a site inspection of the Mayibuye Primary School in Thembisa. The Commission has initiated an investigation following reports that this ‘state-of-the-art school’, which was supposed to be occupied in 2017, stands as a white elephant after the Department of Education failed to obtain an occupancy certificate because of the ‘dangerous conditions’ which the school was built on.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On Wednesday, 16 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) will conduct a site inspection of the Mayibuye Primary School in Thembisa. The Commission has initiated an investigation following reports that this ‘state-of-the-art school’, which was supposed to be occupied in 2017, stands as a white elephant after the Department of Education failed to obtain an occupancy certificate because of the ‘dangerous conditions’ which the school was built on.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
11 September 2020
On Friday, 11 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) met with health and beauty retailer Clicks Group Limited. This meeting was convened by the Commission following a racist advertisement that appeared on Clicks’ website. This advertisement was published in contravention of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, which prohibits unfair discrimination in general, specifically prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race and gender, and furthermore explicitly prohibits the publication and dissemination of information that unfairly discriminates. The Commission had sent a letter, calling for this meeting with Clicks to understand circumstances that led to the publication of the advert and to understand accountability and sensitivity measures taken by Clicks to guard against the publication of such offensive material in the future.
11 September 2020
On Friday, 11 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) met with health and beauty retailer Clicks Group Limited. This meeting was convened by the Commission following a racist advertisement that appeared on Clicks’ website. This advertisement was published in contravention of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, which prohibits unfair discrimination in general, specifically prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race and gender, and furthermore explicitly prohibits the publication and dissemination of information that unfairly discriminates. The Commission had sent a letter, calling for this meeting with Clicks to understand circumstances that led to the publication of the advert and to understand accountability and sensitivity measures taken by Clicks to guard against the publication of such offensive material in the future.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
10 September 2020
It is with great shock and sadness that the South African Human Rights Commission has learnt of the passing away of Adv George Bizos. We mourn the fall of this human rights giant – the country and humanity has suffered a great loss. He stood for everything that we wish for – freedom, equality, justice, honesty, integrity, professionalism, trust, love and support for fellow South Africans irrespective of colour or creed. He was the most pleasant person to work with.
10 September 2020
It is with great shock and sadness that the South African Human Rights Commission has learnt of the passing away of Adv George Bizos. We mourn the fall of this human rights giant – the country and humanity has suffered a great loss. He stood for everything that we wish for – freedom, equality, justice, honesty, integrity, professionalism, trust, love and support for fellow South Africans irrespective of colour or creed. He was the most pleasant person to work with.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
9 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has noted with concern the utterances and behaviour of members - or persons purporting to be members - of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), since Monday the 7th September 2020. Following a series of protests organised against chain retail group Clicks, in response to a racially divisive advertisement by TRESemme, publicised by Clicks, the Commission reminds the political principals of the political party that they have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of the law and the Constitution. These senior party officials need to conduct themselves in a manner befitting of their office and befitting of the oath they have taken to uphold the Constitution.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 7 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has noted with concern an advert by health and beauty retail store Clicks. The advert, for hair products, seemingly suggests that African hair is amongst others “dry and damaged”. To this effect, the Commission has launched an own-initiative investigation into this matter. The Commission has further written a letter to and called for a meeting with Clicks, for the retail store to explain itself concerning the content of the advert.
Monday, 7 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has noted with concern an advert by health and beauty retail store Clicks. The advert, for hair products, seemingly suggests that African hair is amongst others “dry and damaged”. To this effect, the Commission has launched an own-initiative investigation into this matter. The Commission has further written a letter to and called for a meeting with Clicks, for the retail store to explain itself concerning the content of the advert.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 4 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) welcomes the release of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono from detention. However, the Commission remains deeply concerned with reports of alleged continued human rights violations in the Republic of Zimbabwe. We note and support various calls made by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), recently, including the steps it took soon after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic related measures, to highlight the importance of respecting and fulfilling, among others, the right to life, freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment as well as the right to a fair trial.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
27 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is mandated, amongst other things, to promote and protect children’s rights. In celebrating the 25th Anniversary, the Commission will be hosting an Online Webinar on the impact COVID-19 has on the girl child during the women’s month.
27 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is mandated, amongst other things, to promote and protect children’s rights. In celebrating the 25th Anniversary, the Commission will be hosting an Online Webinar on the impact COVID-19 has on the girl child during the women’s month.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) expressed its shock at the footage of Mr. Bulelani Qolani, being dragged naked and forcibly evicted from his shack, in an informal settlement in Cape Town, by Anti-Land Invasion Unit (ALIU). The Commission thus took action as it viewed this incident as a gross violation of Mr. Qolani’s rights to dignity, freedom and security of the person. It is a complete disregard for persons who are without adequate housing due to poverty, particularly during the State of National Disaster as declared in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) expressed its shock at the footage of Mr. Bulelani Qolani, being dragged naked and forcibly evicted from his shack, in an informal settlement in Cape Town, by Anti-Land Invasion Unit (ALIU). The Commission thus took action as it viewed this incident as a gross violation of Mr. Qolani’s rights to dignity, freedom and security of the person. It is a complete disregard for persons who are without adequate housing due to poverty, particularly during the State of National Disaster as declared in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 19 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) tasked with the Constitutional mandate to protect, promote and monitor the attainment of human rights, as set out in Chapter Two of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights; views every potential infringement of human rights with equal vigour.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
19 August 2020
This Thursday, the Legal Resources Centre will be in the Supreme Court of Appeal Court (SCA) on behalf of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) who are the Amicus Curiae in Standard Bank, Nedbank and Firstrand Bank IN RE: Nedbank v Thobejane and Various Others (999/2019; 47/2019).
19 August 2020
This Thursday, the Legal Resources Centre will be in the Supreme Court of Appeal Court (SCA) on behalf of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) who are the Amicus Curiae in Standard Bank, Nedbank and Firstrand Bank IN RE: Nedbank v Thobejane and Various Others (999/2019; 47/2019).
Attention: Editors and Reporters
18 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) welcomes President Ramaphosa’s announcement on Saturday 15 August 2020 of the further easing of lockdown restrictions in the coming week, while echoing the President’s call for extra vigilance to prevent a spike in infections.
18 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) welcomes President Ramaphosa’s announcement on Saturday 15 August 2020 of the further easing of lockdown restrictions in the coming week, while echoing the President’s call for extra vigilance to prevent a spike in infections.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
9 August 2020
The 9th August 2020, is National Women’s Day in South Africa. The day commemorates the famous 1956 Women’s March against repressive pass laws, and generally against the oppression and subjugation of women and thus holds great historical significance in the establishment of the constitutional democracy we enjoy in South Africa today.
9 August 2020
The 9th August 2020, is National Women’s Day in South Africa. The day commemorates the famous 1956 Women’s March against repressive pass laws, and generally against the oppression and subjugation of women and thus holds great historical significance in the establishment of the constitutional democracy we enjoy in South Africa today.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
30 July 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or SAHRC) wishes to clarify that the matter whether to investigate the procurement of PPE is still under discussion and that the announcement this afternoon was unfortunately pre-mature.
30 July 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or SAHRC) wishes to clarify that the matter whether to investigate the procurement of PPE is still under discussion and that the announcement this afternoon was unfortunately pre-mature.
29 July 2020
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On Thursday, 30 July 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) will conduct a site inspection of the Nasrec field hospital in Johannesburg. The hospital has been established to help alleviate the burden of COVID infections in the province. The Commission seeks to ascertain the facility’s state of readiness to receive an increased number of patients and take stock of any challenges that the facility is facing. This inspection will include engagements with Department of Health officials, organised labour and medical staff.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
23 July 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) regards the South African government’s decision to keep schools closed for all grades (except Grades 7 and 12) until 24 August 2020 as regrettable and unjustifiable.
The decision means that by 24 August 2020 over 10 million South African children, depending on the grade they are in, will have lost over 50% or 100 scheduled school days as a result of COVID-19 school closures.
23 July 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) regards the South African government’s decision to keep schools closed for all grades (except Grades 7 and 12) until 24 August 2020 as regrettable and unjustifiable.
The decision means that by 24 August 2020 over 10 million South African children, depending on the grade they are in, will have lost over 50% or 100 scheduled school days as a result of COVID-19 school closures.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
23 July 2020
In her media statement of 15 July 2020, Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach, MP and DA Spokesperson on Justice and Correctional Services, makes a number of unfounded allegations which, in the view of the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC), go against the provisions of section 181 (3) read with section 181(4) of the Constitution, among others.
23 July 2020
In her media statement of 15 July 2020, Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach, MP and DA Spokesperson on Justice and Correctional Services, makes a number of unfounded allegations which, in the view of the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC), go against the provisions of section 181 (3) read with section 181(4) of the Constitution, among others.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
23 July 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission welcomes the apology from Mr Tony Ehrenreich, to the South African Jewish Board of Deputies regarding a particular statement that circulated on social media in August 2014 which the Commission, after investigation of the complaint, had found demonstrates a clear intention to promote hatred of the members of the Second Complainant in the matter, the SAJBD. The Commission had directed that Mr Ehrenreich apologise to the SAJBD for the statement in question and hereby confirms that such apology has indeed been made by him.
23 July 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission welcomes the apology from Mr Tony Ehrenreich, to the South African Jewish Board of Deputies regarding a particular statement that circulated on social media in August 2014 which the Commission, after investigation of the complaint, had found demonstrates a clear intention to promote hatred of the members of the Second Complainant in the matter, the SAJBD. The Commission had directed that Mr Ehrenreich apologise to the SAJBD for the statement in question and hereby confirms that such apology has indeed been made by him.
The South African Human Rights Commission.
Follow the SAHRC
About us
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.
Braampark Forum 3, 33 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)
Sign- up for our monthly Pfanelo newsletter
