The Commission deemed the Imbizo necessary in line with its three-fold mandate of protection, promotion, and monitoring in the country, noting the growing threats to human lives, economic ecosystems, and livelihoods. The Imbizo created a platform for engagement between the Commission and members of society, providing a space for open dialogue to address concerns such as human rights observation, lawlessness, social cohesion, the right to protest, migration, service delivery, and public safety. It brought together civil society, faith-based leaders, community members and leaders.

The primary purpose of the Imbizo was to have direct engagement with community members to listen and receive the lived experiences, concerns, grievances and perceptions of communities regarding service delivery issues, while also clarifying the mandate, powers, and responsibilities of the Commission. In line with its constitutional role, the SAHRC sought to promote dialogue over conflict, dispel misinformation and disinformation, and contribute to efforts to prevent violence and safeguard human rights.

The Commission notes that the Imbizo attracted significant public participation and engagement, reflecting the relevance of the issues under discussion and the importance of the Commission’s role in the current national dispensation. The robust nature of the engagement demonstrated the urgency with which many communities experience challenges related to socio-economic conditions, migration, crime, and service delivery.

While the discussions were at times difficult and reflected strong and divergent views, the Commission affirms that the Imbizo achieved several important objectives. Mainly, it provided a direct and unfiltered opportunity for the Commission to hear public sentiment, including grievances, frustrations, and criticisms directed at the Commission and the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Home Affairs, together with other border management authorities as critical role players in migration administration.

This engagement has enabled the Commission to better understand communities' concerns and incorporate these perspectives into its ongoing work and interventions. Registered concerns include:

• Escalating crime rate, both violent and organised crimes, with major concerns being drugs, unlawful mining, and prostitution rings, while SAPS is alleged to be turning a blind eye.
• Poor service delivery in communities, including poor school placement methods and strained healthcare systems.
• Struggle for economic opportunities between locals and non-nationals in the local economy as spaza shop owners and street vendors.
• Concerns that businesses neglect locals to hire non-nationals instead in areas such as restaurants and farming, to allow businesses to maximise their profits through “cheap labour”.
• Allegations that government is not responsive when communities make efforts to register their concerns.

The Imbizo further enabled the Commission to reiterate and clarify its constitutional mandate to promote, protect, and monitor the realisation of human rights for all people within the Republic. It also provided an opportunity to address widespread misinformation about the Commission’s role, including misconceptions about its functions and the Constitutional Court judgment.

Importantly, the Imbizo served as a preventive intervention aimed at encouraging dialogue rather than violence and reinforcing the principle that grievances, however legitimate, must be addressed within the framework of the rule of law. The Commission emphasises that acts of violence, intimidation, or hate speech cannot be justified under any circumstances and undermine the constitutional values upon which South Africa is founded.

The Commission acknowledges that the engagement also highlighted critical challenges, including persistent misinformation, tensions within communities, and a strong demand for accountability in addressing socio-economic and governance issues. These challenges underscore the need for sustained and strategic engagement moving forward.

In response, the SAHRC will intensify its efforts in several key areas. The Commission continues to enhance its public education and advocacy programs to improve understanding of its mandate and to counter misinformation and disinformation. It will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to address issues related to unlawful migration, crime, and service delivery. The Commission will also continue to engage communities, including those with differing or critical perspectives, through structured, inclusive platforms to foster dialogue and social cohesion.

Furthermore, the Commission is engaging government at both provincial and national levels to ascertain that acceptable and sustainable measures are in place to restore calm and order, particularly considering anticipated future events, and will work collaboratively with stakeholders to prevent human rights violations and promote peaceful co-existence.

The SAHRC reiterates its commitment to its constitutional mandate and to serving all people in South Africa without fear, favour, or prejudice. The Commission calls upon all members of the public, civil society, the media, and the state to work collectively in upholding human rights, public safety, compliance with immigration and labour laws and policies, social cohesion, and the observance of the rule of law while addressing the social ills and administrative lapses.

The Commission remains open to ongoing engagement with all stakeholders.

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION