 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
18 October 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) received a complaint that a pedestrian bridge via which tenants on the farm access schooling and employment had been deliberately destroyed by the farm owner.
Noting that the complaint further alleged that the residents on the farm, who are renting from the farm owner, also had their electricity supply disconnected months ago and that many of the residents had been born on the farm and lived there all of their lives. The SAHRC in Western Cape considered it prudent, on assessment of the complaint, to also request the intervention of the Rental Housing Tribunal (RHT) and the Department Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).
17 October 2023
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global hunger has increased by 150 million people since 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) to reach 828 million people in 2021. Moreover, according to Statistics South Africa Household Survey, 3.7 million households in 2021 were poor or very poor in South Africa.
17 October 2023
Access to water is essential to everyone’s health, dignity and prosperity. In recognition of the fundamental importance of water, the Constitution entrenches the right to have access to sufficient water. In recent years, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has received several complaints relating to the challenges of sufficient access to water in various districts in the Limpopo Province. Poor and/or insufficient access to water remains a significant challenge for many communities in Limpopo Province.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
17 October 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) in Eastern Cape conducted an investigative inquiry with the purpose of addressing concerns regarding the alleged excessive regulation of learners' appearances and school uniforms in institutions of learning. The Inquiry took place from March 14th to March 16th, 2022, and it was conducted in response to complaints received by the Commission on this matter. Additionally, various media reports highlighted instances of alleged discriminatory practices by educators concerning learners' natural hair, religious symbols, cultural symbols, and requests for gender-neutral school uniforms.
14 September 2023
On Monday, 18 September 2023, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) will officially release its report on the “KZN Water Inquiry”.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
12 October 2023
Calendar day events are amongst the set outputs in line with the 2023- 24 Annual Operational Plan of the (Commission) to promote respect for human rights and a culture of human rights.
The North West Provincial Office (NWPO) seeks to commemorate International World Food Day in conjunction with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty to deepen and strengthen levels of awareness about the significance of these commemorative days.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
12 October 2023
On Monday, 16 October 2023, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) will officially release its report of its Inquiry into access to water and the efficacy of water services authorities within the Limpopo Province.
Access to water is essential to everyone’s health, dignity and prosperity. In recognition of the fundamental importance of water, the Constitution entrenches the right to have access to sufficient water. In recent years, the SAHRC has received several complaints relating to the challenges of sufficient access to water in various districts in Limpopo Province. The issue of poor and/or insufficient access to water remains a significant challenge for many communities in Limpopo Province.
Date: 12 October 2023
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Limpopo Provincial Office in collaboration with the Thursday in Black Movement undertakes to hold a community outreach activity aimed at introducing and promoting the Social Harmony National Effort (SHiNE) initiative and the advancement of Thursday in Black Movement, which is working towards a world without rape and violence in the Limpopo Province.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
10 October 2023
In the month of October 2023, the North West Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will conduct capacity building workshops aimed at capacitating civil organisations and legal advice centres in Rustenburg, Mahikeng and Potchefstroom.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (“the Commission”) Kwa-Zulu Natal Provincial Office conducted a visit to the Ladysmith Provincial Hospital yesterday as part of its investigation into the assault and abuse of a minor patient who is also a mental health care user. The Commission’s investigation emanated from a video recording of the assault which has been widely circulated on various media platforms.
03 October 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Limpopo will conduct a seminar for older persons to promote the Social Harmony National Effort (SHiNE) initiative under the theme “Everyone is potentially disabled or old. Being inclusive and considerate of these groups is helping myself” on the 04th of October 2023.
04 October 2023
The North West Provincial Office of the Commission will convene a dialogue under the theme “Bridging the gap between human rights and traditional customs.”
Attention: Editors and Reporters
02 October 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is a state institution established by Chapter 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 to support constitutional democracy. The SAHRC is mandated in terms of section 184 of the Constitution to promote the protection, development, and attainment of human rights, and to monitor the observance of such rights within the Republic of South Africa.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Saturday, 30 September 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission) met with a delegation from Post Bank and the Department of Communications on Thursday 28 September 2023.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss various matters pertaining to the inaccessibility of social grants by some of the Post Bank account holders on the 5th and 6th of September 2023. In addition, amongst others to establish whether those persons who held bank accounts with Post Bank and who were unable to access their social grant money, due to switching glitches on the Post Bank payment system, have now been assisted. Secondly to establish whether these tech challenges are anticipated to recur during the October payment cycle.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
28 September 2023
The SAHRC in Mpumalanga province is hosting a provincial dialogue under the topic: “The impact of homelessness on the right to access adequate housing.” The dialogue is aimed at entrenching a human rights culture deepening and the understanding of human rights in the province, specifically the right to access adequate housing.
28 September 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the University of the Free State, and the Free State Education Department will hold the provincial workshop for the top eight learners who will be representing the Free State province at the National School Moot Court Finals.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
28 September 2023
International discourse on digital literacy and older persons has increased since the 2020 pandemic which accelerated the migration to digital interactions. The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) acknowledges the role emerging technologies and online platforms play in the development of our societal growth and evolution. However, the Commission has noted the social exclusion and limitation of enjoying particular human rights by older persons due to an increasing digital divide known as the “grey digital divide”. South Africa has committed in its Constitution to provide education, freedom of expression and access to information.
27 September 2023
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or the Commission) met with the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) on Friday evening, 23 September 2023. Among the issues canvassed were the recent delay in the payment of grants to a large number of pensioners and persons with disabilities. The precise nature of the switching “glitches” experienced by Post Bank, as well as the important matter of whether those switching glitches will impact the next round of social grant payouts.
21 September 2023
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Land restitution in South Africa is a critical component of the country's broader land reform programme, aimed at addressing historical injustices related to land dispossession. Since the enactment of the Restitution of Land Rights Act No. 22 of 1994, thousands of land claims have been lodged by individuals and communities who were forcibly dispossessed of their land during apartheid. The government has processed and settled many of these claims, resulting in the restoration of land to claimants or the provision of compensation.
20 September 2023
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Farm workers play an important role in the agricultural sector, contributing significantly to food production and food security as well as the economy of our country. However, despite their essential contributions, farm workers often face alarming occupational health and safety challenges that demand immediate attention and intervention.
About us
Understanding PAIA
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.
Sentinel House, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)