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Transforming Society

Securing Rights

Restoring Dignity

SAHRC rejects suggestions July unrests reflect Constitution failure to uphold basic human rights

10 December 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has rejected as unfounded suggestions that the unrest that happened in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July is a reflection of the Constitution’s failure to uphold basic human rights.
More than 300 people were killed in the violence and looting in the two provinces.
As the country marks the 25th anniversary of former president Nelson Mandela’s signing of the Constitution in Sharpville, in the Vaal, some people are beginning to question what has been widely acknowledged as one of the most progressive Constitutions in the world.
SAHRC Commissioner Advocate, Jonas Sibanyoni has accused elected representatives of failing to implement the constitution’s requirement that the quality of lives of the country’s citizens be improved.
Sibanyoni says, "The buck stops with the elected representatives, those who are required to see to it that the rights are achieved. We’ve got Chapter nine institutions, which are the state institutions supporting constitutional democracy which are the watchdogs of any violation of the rights that are enshrined in the constitution."


Source: SABC

The South African Human Rights Commission.

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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.

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