As a constitutional body established in terms of Chapter 9 of the Constitution, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or the Commission) was formally designated as the South African NPM on 4 December 2024, with the mandate to monitor places of deprivation of liberty under the OPCAT. Between 15 and19 September 2025, the Commission together with the Office of the Health Ombud (OHO) as a recognised NPM partner institution, conducted preventive visits to places of deprivation of liberty in line with the OPCAT. The visits included mental healthcare facilities, correctional centres and police stations in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

Through these measures, the Commission reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of persons deprived of their liberty, in accordance with South Africa’s obligations under OPCAT. The week-long visit involved engagements with stakeholders and visits to various places of deprivation of liberty. These activities were aimed at strengthening the monitoring of conditions of detention and ensuring compliance with both constitutional and international human rights standards.

The NPM will issue reports to the respective places of deprivation of liberty visited during the week-long monitoring exercise, with recommendations aimed at, inter alia, improving infrastructural conditions, strengthening administrative efficiency and enhancing the overall quality of service delivery in detention settings.

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION