Attention: Editors and Reporters

12 February 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the SAHRC”) is investigating the New England Road Landfill site in Pietermaritzburg which falls under the Msunduzi Municipality (“the Municipality”).  The site has been plagued with various challenges over the years some of which have included a poor leachate management system, pollution of the environment, non-functional equipment, lack of gas as well as the lack of air and quality monitoring amongst others. 

11 February 2020

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The SAHRC Chairperson Commissioner Majola will visit the Western Cape Province from the 10th to 14th of February 2020 to address human rights challenges including issues relating to the access to healthcare.

07 February 2020

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The SAHRC National Commissioners Sibanyoni and Ameermia will visit the Limpopo Province from the 10^th to 14^th of February 2020 to address human rights challenges including issues relating to the right to water, sanitation, environment, housing and land.

5 February 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) notes the concerns raised by Member of Parliament, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach and Member of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, in a public opinion piece.

5 February 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has taken the decision to provide legal assistance to Mr Thabiso Zulu. Mr. Zulu, a whistle-blower who has gone into hiding after being shot and wounded.

03 February 2020
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The Commissioner responsible for the rights of People with Disabilities and Older Persons in the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Commissioner Adv. Bokankatla Malatji, will be conducting a Provincial Visit in Mpumalanga Province from 03 February 2020 to 06 February 2020.

3 February 2020

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) congratulates the World Moot Court Champions - Team South Africa - on their phenomenal win at the fifth International School Moot Court Competition, which concluded in Gdynia in Poland, on Friday, 31st January 2020.

03 February 2020

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) has called the Gauteng MEC’s and the City of Tshwane to account for the service delivery complaints and gross underdevelopment in Ekangala and Kungwini region. This preliminary inquiry follows the initial inquiry held on 04 December 2019, where Gauteng government accounted for the numerous socio-economic rights violations such as the lack of service delivery, lack of access to adequate housing and evictions in the region.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
29 January 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) will host a workshop on the establishment of an Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) under Article 33 (2) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The workshop forms part of the Commissions ongoing project on the establishment of an IMM that started in 2019.

Media Statement

29 January 2019
ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) notes with grave concern the threat uttered on Tuesday morning, the 28th January 2020, directed at Commissioner Chris Nissen. The threat was made by one of the leaders of a group of refugees who have been occupying the Central Methodist Mission on Green Market Square, central Cape Town, in protest, since October 2019.

24 January 2019

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) and Mr. Eben Etzebeth and have agreed to withdraw the Review Application in the Pretoria High Court.

22 January 2020

Attention: Community Members

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is inviting the youth of Kungwini and Ekangala to a Youth Activation Workshop (YAW) that will be held on the 28 January 2020 at the Bronkhorstspruit Sports Centre. The programme starts at 9:00 am-15:00 pm. The YAW will highlight the opportunities available to Ekangala and Kungwini youth between the ages of 18-35.

21 January 2020
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The Commissioner responsible for the rights of Children and Migrants in the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Commissioner Angie Makwetla, will be conducting a Provincial Visit in the Northern Cape Province from 20 January 2020 to 24 January 2020.

21    January 2020
ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission Limpopo Provincial Office will conduct inspection at the Kgapane Hospital in Modjadjiskloof, on 22 January 2020.

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

07 January 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”) welcomes the settlement reached in the Martha Marais matter.

On 29 May 2019, Mrs Marais (76 years old) attended the Mamelodi Hospital to seek medical advice. Mrs Marais was found by her daughter lying on the floor with her hands bound to a bench in the hospital waiting area. She asked nurses and security staff why Mrs Marais was bound to the bench but they refused to answer her. She begged the Hospital staff to untie her mother and it was only after sometime of doing so that the security guards capitulated and released Mrs Marais. Mrs Marais was severely traumatised as a result of the abovementioned incident and her family reported that she barely communicated with them other than to repeatedly recount her traumatic experience.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
11 December 2019

Whilst the United Nations General Assembly, on 28 July 2010, through Resolution 64/292, explicitly recognized the human right to water and sanitation and acknowledged that clean drinking water and sanitation are essential to the realisation of all human rights, the South African Human Rights Commission in Mpumalanga (“Commission”) continues to receive a number of complaints relating to unsafe pit latrines especially in schools, sewage spillages and waste water treatment challenges in Mpumalanga which impact negatively on communities, affect many aspects of their daily living and ultimately pose a serious risk to their health. The above UN resolution recognises the pivotal role played by the civil society and non-government organisations in raising awareness on the right to water and sanitation.

10 December 2019

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The 10th of December annually marks the commemoration of International Human Rights Day (IHRD). The day is globally observed in remembrance of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by United Nations General Assembly on the 10th of December 1948. This proclamation was the first global expression of human rights and is globally recognised as one of the first major achievements of the UN.  

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Monday, 09 December 2019

The 10th of December marks the commemoration of International Human Rights Day (IHRD). The day is globally observed annually in remembrance of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by United Nations General Assembly on the 10th of December 1948. This proclamation was the first global expression of human rights and is globally recognised as one of the first major achievements of the UN.   

Attention: Editors and Reporters
9 December 2019

Over the years, the South African Human Rights Commission in Mpumalanga (“Commission”) has received a number of complaints relating to sewage spillages and waste water treatment challenges in Mpumalanga. More recently, the Commission received such complaints against Nkomazi, Lekwa and Govan Mbeki Local Municipalities.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Tuesday 3 December 2019

Today, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).  IDPD has been annually observed on 3 December around the world since 1992. The day is targeted towards building an understanding of challenges faced by persons with disabilities as well as the rights of persons with disabilities.