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Media Advisory: The SAHRC’S Western Cape Provincial Office will host a community outreach on the right to access to water and sanitation in Siyangena, Philippi.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 18 September 2024    

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) will host an engagement on Water and Sanitation Services Policy on Privately Owned Land with members of the community of Siyangena in Philippi. The objective of the engagement is to educate the community on this important policy which was promulgated on 16 February 2024. Representatives of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will support the Commission by providing valuable information on the role the DWS plays in the realisation of the right to access water.

 The engagement will take place as follows:

  • Venue: Philippi Village
  • Date  : Thursday, 19 September 2024
  • Time  : 10h00

Challenges regarding access to water and sanitation services on privately owned land are well documented. The Commission as an institution created to protect human rights has also grappled with complaints on the subject over the years. Water and Sanitation Services Policy paves the way for facilitating greater realisation of the right to access to water and sanitation for communities which have developed on privately owned land. It affords water services authorities and/or Local Government Authorities, to access private land should the owner or person in charge of that land fail to afford such access to persons in occupation in order to provide access to water and dignified sanitation, among other significant mechanisms.

Empowering communities with knowledge of not just human rights but also the content thereof and enforcement mechanisms available to them, is one of the core mandates of the Commission. The Commission will work with the DWS in rolling out public education and awareness on this important policy.

Ends

For further information contact Advocacy and Research Officer Western Cape, Ms Tammy Carter, on 0685438996 or Email: Tcarter@sahrc.org.za

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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.

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