MEDIA ADVISORY

ATTENTION: EDITORS, PRODUCERS, EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL REPORTERS

DATE: 04 December 2018

In his role as the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA), Professor Mandla Makhanya requested the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in December 2017 to conduct an investigation into allegations and counter-allegations of racism, harassment, bullying and victimisation at UNISA and advise the university on appropriate interventions to address these challenges.

Attention Editors and Reporters

4 December 2018

In November 2018, the SAHRC (the Commission) became aware, through various social media platforms, of a tweet posted by the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Herman Mashaba in which he stated the following “we are not going to sit back and allow people like you to bring us Ebolas in the name of small business. Health of our people first. Our health facilities are already stretched to the limit”.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

04 December 2018

On 05^th December 2018 the South African Human Rights Commission will host roundtable discussions to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 3 December 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of PwD in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme for 2018 is “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. This theme is inspired by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which pledges to “leave no one behind”.

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

30 NOVEMBER 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will conduct an inspection of key discharge points in the City of Ekurhuleni which are responsible for removal of effluent flowing into the Vaal River. These key plants are allegedly the point of discharge of the pollutant-containing effluent.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

29 November 2018

The SAHRC, Legal Aid SA and ProBono.Org will be hosting an outreach clinic at Warwick Junction in Durban. This initiative is designed to inform the community about their rights and responsibilities; to create a platform for the community to engage directly with stakeholders and to provide a free legal advisory desk.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

28 November 2018

In the last few years, the South African Human Rights Commission in Mpumalanga (“Commission”) has received a number of complaints relating to sewerage spillages and waste water treatment challenges in various municipalities in Mpumalanga. The complaints alleged that the sewerage spillages and/or the inadequate treatment of waste water violated the affected communities’ right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being (section 24 of the Constitution), as well as the affected communities’ right to clean water (section 27 of the Constitution) and their right to dignity (section 10 of the Constitution).

Attention: Editors and Reporters

26 November 2018

On 27 – 28 November 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”), Western Cape Provincial Office in partnership with GCIS, will be hosting information sessions to amplify basic human rights awareness enshrined in chapter 2 of the Constitution – the Bill of Rights. The information sessions are centered under the theme “Know Your Rights and Responsibilities”.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

26 November 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) welcomes the Xolobeni judgment in which the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the permission of the community is required before mining rights are issued.
Community members have been demanding to assert their right to refuse mining companies the right to extract titanium at the Umgungundlovu area in Xolobeni on the Wild Coast. This community raised concerns regarding possible displacement from their homes and grazing lands, as well as environmental degradation.

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

21 NOVEMBER 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) Gauteng Provincial Office in collaboration with the Network or African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), will host a National Consultation on the African Commission Principles on Decriminalisation of Petty Offences in Africa.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

20 November 2018

On 20 – 22 November 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) will be hosting capacity building workshops to amplify basic human rights awareness with the specific focus to the right of access to courts enshrined in section 34 read with sections 38 and 39 of the Constitution. The workshops are centered under the theme “My Right to Use Courts Responsibly”, and are intended to equip rural communities with information on the content of the right of access to courts.

16th November 2018
Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will convene the second session of the inquiry into allegations of approximately 150 megalitres of raw sewage spilling into the Vaal River daily.

15^th November 2018

Attention: Editors and Reporters

South Africa ratified the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), two decades after it was signed by former President Nelson Mandela. In terms of the Convention, South Africa presented its report about how it was faring in making rights a reality on 12 October 2018 to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission), which also has a standing with the United Nations Committee provided its own independent report about the level of progress achieved by the State under the Convention. 

Attention: Editors and Reporters

14 November 2018

On 16-18 November 2018 the South African Human Rights Commission will host roadshows in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality.

In the last financial year the Free State Provincial Office visited the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality. The sites visited highlighted the need to intensify human rights awareness campaigns in rural and far-flung areas of the province. During the visits, the delegation of the Free State Office established that there has been an upsurge in farm evictions and many farm dwellers in these areas visited face many challenges when they are evicted illegally with their homes often being destroyed upon eviction.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

 

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

 

In its efforts to promote a culture of and the observance of human rights, today, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South African Police Service (SAPS). Both parties recognised that the duty to protect people and property has implications for the promotion and protection of human rights and ensuring that peace and security is maintained in our democracy.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

12 November 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will host a public outreach clinic in the uMngeni Local Municipality from the 13 – 16 November 2018.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

12 November 2018

On 13 – 15 November 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”), Mpumalanga Provincial Office (MPO), will be hosting information sessions to amplify basic human rights awareness enshrined in “Chapter 2 of the Constitution – the Bill of Rights. The information sessions are centered under the theme “Know Your Rights and Responsibilities.

Attention Editors and Reporters

5 November 2018

The South Africa Human Rights Commission (Gauteng Provincial Office), will visit Randfontein tomorrow, this after residents complained that raw sewage is flowing from the Randfontein sewage processing plant into the Tweelopiespruit. The residents allege that raw sewage that enters the plant is let into the river by the Rand West City Municipality without any treatment of the effluent and the untreated black water finds its way to the Hartbeespoort Dam. According to residents, this poses serious risks to the environment and the health of people who are dependent on water from the Hartbeespoort dam system.

Attention Editors and Reporters

2nd November 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) along with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) and the Conference of Western Attorneys General Africa Alliance Partnership (CWAG APP), will be hosting a symposium on human trafficking and trafficking in persons (TIP) on the 5th of November 2018 at the Capital On The Park, 101 Katherine Street, Sandown, Sandton, 2031.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

30 October 2018

On 31 October 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission will host roadshows in the Setsoto District Municipality.

These roadshows are expected to serve as a platform to amplify awareness on pertinent issues relating to access to justice, Children’s rights, the Commission’s child friendly complaints handling procedure, access to information and many other rights as provided in the Bill of Rights.