The rapid increase in the rate of infections is cause for concern for all of us. In addition, unless bold steps are taken and a concerted effort is made, our economy will continue to decline leading for further job losses and heightened levels of poverty.  This will have a major impact on our country’s ability to advance human rights, and economic and social rights in particular. The country is already struggling with a compromised delivery of basic services such as water, sanitation, housing and many others.

The SAHRC therefore welcomes the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, the 23^rd March 2020, that a 21 day lockdown will commence at midnight on Thursday the 26^th March 2020 until the 16^th April 2020. As difficult as the lockdown may be, the Commission views it as a necessary means to uphold the right to health and ultimately, for saving lives. The Commission,   hopes that the announced measures, if embraced and implemented by all of us, will make a significant impact in addressing the epidemic.

The SAHRC thus urges all South Africans to support the lockdown and, among others, comply with the conditions of the lockdown including co-operating with the lawful instructions of authorities tasked with the implementation of the lockdown.

The Commission, however, is also concerned that all measures introduced in response to the epidemic should not unduly undermine the human rights of South Africans. The Constitutional mandate of the Commission requires that it must promote and protect all rights in the Bill of Rights and - more importantly - in the context of the strict measures announced by the President, the Commission is obliged by the Constitution to monitor and assess the observance of people’s rights during the implementation or enforcement of the lockdown so that rights remain protected.  A small group consisting of staff and Commissioners is being identified to do the monitoring, and interventions where necessary. It will therefore be exempted from the measure to remain home, in order to enable its members to do the above-mentioned work of the Commission.

Other than that group and in line with the measures announced by the President, the rest of the SAHRC staff members and Commissioners will discharge its fiduciary duties on a strict work-from-home basis for the duration of the lockdown period. The Commission will therefore continue to exercise generally, its constitutional mandate to promote, protect and monitor and assess the observance of human rights, even though working from home. Existing complaints will therefore continue to be dealt with and new complaints not arising from the implementation of the lockdown will continue to be handled by the staff and Commissioners as normal. Of course, the public is made aware that the lockdown and the fact that staff members will be working from remote locations are factors that are likely to slow down the process and affect deadlines and time frames.

Until at least the 16^th April 2020, the public is requested to use the contact details below for urgent complaints and queries directed at the SAHRC. Please call the number of the provincial office in the province where you are:

• Northern Cape Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager: Chantelle Williams

Mobile Contact: 079 564 9908

Telephonic Contact:  (054) 332 3993

• Eastern Cape Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Abongile Sipondo

Mobile Contact: 067 968 8921

• Western Cape Provincial Office:

Acting Provincial Manager:  Bahia Sterris

Mobile Contact: 073 075 2278

• Limpopo Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Victor Mavhidula

Mobile Contact: 071 566 5188

• Free State Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Thabang Kheswa

Mobile Contact: 076 038 4507

• Mpumalanga Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Eric Mokonyama

Mobile Contact: 078 670 4360

• North West Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Osmond Mngomezulu

Mobile Contact: 060 790 1476

Telephonic Contact: (014) 592 0964

• Gauteng Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Buang Jones

Telephonic Contact: (011) 877 3750 (Calls Diverted to Senior Legal Officers)

• KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Lloyd Lotz

Mobile Contact: 071 446 2333

Ends

Issued by The South African Human Rights Commission