Attention Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 10 June 2025

As South Africa has observed National Child Protection Week, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ Commission) is compelled to reflect with grave concern on the continued injustices faced by one of the most vulnerable members of our society, our children. As the country we are reminded that the protection, care, and empowerment of children is not an act of charity, it is a constitutional and moral obligation.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 10 June 2025

On 10 and 11 June 2025, the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court, Johannesburg will hear an application instituted by Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, the South African Informal Traders Forum, the Inner-City Federation and Abahlali BaseMjondolo (‘the Applicants’) seeking relief against Operation Dudula and certain of its office-bearers in respect of ongoing xenophobic speech and conduct, and against the Government of the Republic of South Africa, and more specifically the Ministers of Police, Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, Health, Basic Education, as well as the Gauteng MECs for Health and Education, for failing to discharge their duties in relation to Operation Dudula’s unlawful conduct.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 09 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission/SAHRC) will conduct a week-long provincial visit in Limpopo to monitor the state of human rights. The visit will be led by Advocate Sandra Makoasha, SAHRC Commissioner responsible for Pro-Human Rights Budgeting, Business and Human Rights, and Health.

Attention Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 05 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) joins the global community in commemorating World Environment Day (WED), 05 June 2025, reaffirming its commitment to the promotion and protection of environmental rights, which are fundamental to the broader human rights framework.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 03 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (Commission) Free State Provincial Office (FSPO) to embark on community outreach initiatives in Dewetsdorp, under the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 30 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) deeply mourns the loss of human rights activist Dr. Tshenuwani Dean Farisani. As a dedicated Lutheran pastor, Dr. Farisani passionately used his position to educate both his congregation and the wider community about the importance of human rights.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 30 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will be embarking on a series of impactful programs of information sessions in observance of Child Protection Week.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 29 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (“SAHRC”/”Commission”) welcomes the announcement, made by President Cyril Ramaphosa today, on the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 29 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) maintains that the sphere of local government is crucial in the attainment of the transformative vision of the Constitution. However, the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) 2023-24 report on local government released by the Auditor-General on 28 May 2025 shows that the local sphere of government is in a dire state.

Attention Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 29 May 2025

As we mark Hunger Day 2025, South Africa faces an urgent and ongoing hunger challenge.  Millions still experience hunger and food insecurity despite constitutional guarantees and international commitments. The right to adequate food is enshrined in Section 27 of our Constitution and supported by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which South Africa ratified in 2015. This ratification commits our country to take progressive steps to realise the right to food for all citizens.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Today,28 May 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) Gauteng Provincial Office will make oral submissions before the Usindiso Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating the prevalence of the proliferation of unsafe buildings, commonly referred as ‘bad buildings’, in region F of the City of Johannesburg. Usindiso Commission was established after the tragic fire at Usindiso building in 2023, which led to the untimely death of over 70 people.

Attention Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 27 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) is this week undertaking a series of strategic engagements in Gauteng from 26 to 28 May 2025, focusing on the protection of migrants’ rights. The week-long activities are led by Commissioner Aseza Gungubele, responsible for Migration; Human Settlements; and Climate Justice.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 27 May 2025

The South African Human Right’s (SAHRC) Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) will embark on a human rights and legal clinic in Worcester and surrounding areas. The clinic is part of initiates by the Commission to make its services more accessible to people who live in far flung areas.

FOR ATTENTION: ALL EDITORS
TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission / SAHRC) welcomes the recent judgment handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Pieters and Another v Stemmet and Another ([2025] ZASCA 60), which upholds the rights of long-term occupiers to security of tenure under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997 (ESTA). This ruling affirms that land designated for agricultural purposes remains subject to protections under ESTA, even when it is located within a township.

FOR ATTENTION: ALL EDITORS
SUNDAY, 25 MAY 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission / SAHRC) joins the African continent and the global community in commemorating Africa Day, a day which marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963, now the African Union (AU).This day stands as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for liberation, self-determination, unity, and dignity for all Africans.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 26 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is an institution established and mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution) to promote, respect for, protection of, and observation of human rights.

 Attention: Editors and Reporters
Saturday, 23 MAY 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC/ Commission) has instituted legal proceedings under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 against Mr. Dawood Lagardien.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 21 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) through its Free State Provincial Office (FSPO) will brief the Free State Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Office of the Premier, on the contents of the inquiry report into the state of service delivery at local government level in the Free State Province.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Access to water is essential to everyone’s health, dignity and prosperity. It is important for municipalities appointed as water services authorities to fulfil their crucial and direct role of providing everyone, particularly vulnerable communities, with access to water.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 19 May 2025

On Tuesday, 20 May 2025, the South African People’s Tribunal on AgroToxins (SAPToA) and the South African Human Rights Commission will make representations on Highly Hazardous Pesticides and other Agrotoxins to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture.