The commission’s Senior Legal Officer in the Free State, Shirley Mlombo, says there remains a high need to educate public servants on human rights to make them aware of their obligation to serve communities and provide certain services. Mlombo was speaking in reference to the lack of water and other basic services in the province. She says the misuse of public funds and maladministration in municipalities and government departments have a direct impact on the realisation of human rights.
Mlombo cites Maluti-A-Phofung and Matjhabeng Municipalities in the Free State as examples.
She says the high levels of irregular expenditure recorded on the Auditor-General’s reports is money that could have been available for service delivery.
“There is really a direct correlation between the correct use of public funds and the realisation of human rights. Perhaps as the SAHRC, we need to be more involved when this budget is planned. Is this budget planned with the view of realising the constitutional mandates of those municipalities? As the SAHRC, working with our sister organisation, the Public Protector, we really need to start asking those questions,” said Mlombo.

Source: OFM