13 May 2024                                                                                                     

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) in the Northern Cape Province will be conducting a stakeholder engagement focused on promoting accountability and addressing human rights violations.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

13 May 2024

The North West Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission will convene a series of Strategic Stakeholder Engagements with the North West University (NWU) on 13 and 14 May 2024.

26 Apr 2024

'Fundamental human rights violations contributed to Enyobeni tragedy' SAHRC gives police, BCM, liquor board and health department deadlines to address issues identified in damning report ZIYANDA ZWENI In a scathing rebuke of local, provincial and national state entities, the SA Human Rights Commission has given police, Buffalo City Metro, the provincial liquor board and the health department between one and three months to rectify issues it found contributed to violations offundamental human rights in the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy.

25 Apr 2024

THE South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has launched an investigation into the tragic death of a threeyearold toddler who died after falling into a pit toilet. Little Unecebo Mboteni fell into the toilet at his creche in Unit 6 in Mdantsane on April 18. Police spokesperson Priscilla Naidoo said they were alerted to the incident after the toddler's death. "It is alleged that on April 18, a threeyearold boy fell into a pit toilet at his creche in Unit 6 in Mdantsane. The child was taken to hospital and died on April 19.

05 Apr 2024

WHILE police and the SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC have launched probes following comments allegedly made by Knysna ward councillor Sharon Sabbagh referring to fellow councillors as "monkeys", the Knysna municipality is also taking action. Sabbagh is accused of breach of conduct, with Knysna Municipality speaker Mncedisi Skosana saying Sabbagh will now face a formal procedure in accordance with the Local Government Municipal Structures Act. He said he has initiated formal procedures following "reasonable suspicion of a breach of conduct".

10 Apr 2024

THE South African Human Rights Commission has condemned xenophobic attacks that recently happened in the Gogobole area, during which Zimbabwean citizens were forcefully removed from their houses and driven out of the area. Community members in the area are accusing foreigners of witchcraft and performing outlandish rituals. During an incident two weeks ago, several Zimbabwean families living in the Gogobole area had to flee their homes when a marauding mob told them in no uncertain terms to return to their homeland or face the consequences. To demonstrate their intent, the group went on the rampage, taking property belonging to the Zimbabweans residents from the homes where they stay.

09 Apr 2024

Human rights activist recognised for his efforts Community activist, Sham Maharaj was honoured by the South African Human Rights Commission for his work in promoting human rights at the Citation of Honour Awards Ceremony, which was held at the Chief Albert Luthuli Museum in Groutville as part of Human Rights Month on Wednesday, 27 March.

28 Apr 2024

The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC , which identified issues that infringed on Free State pupils' rights to education and safety, including dilapidated buildings at risk of collapse, met with the province's education department this week to discuss progress on corrective measures. The commission, led by provincial commissioner Henk Boshoff, first visited some schools in all five education districts in the province in January as part of a project to assess the readiness of the education department for the start of the 2024 year and found prevalences of infrastructure, sanitation, overcrowding and safety problems. The schools visited by the commission include Botlehadi Primary School, Bloemfontein Primary School, Ruang Tsebo Primary School, Mariasdal Combined School and Tshomarelo Primary School.

26 Apr 2024

In a scathing rebuke of local, provincial and national government entities, the SA Human Rights Commission has given police, Buffalo City Metro, provincial liquor board and health department between one and three months to rectify issues it found contributed to violations of fundamental human rights in the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy. "This report ... underscores a sobering reality ... What is urgently needed is a fundamental shift in how we, as a society, approach alcohol consumption and regulation," said commissioner Nomahlubi Kwinana.

26 Apr 2024

Nearly two years ago, 21 partygoers died at the Enyobeni tavern in Scenery Park, East London, and now the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has released an investigative report on the tragedy. The SAHRC made scathing findings against the Eastern Cape Liquor Board ECLB and government over the Enyobeni tragedy. The commission's investigation looked into the systemic challenges linked with the deaths, which included 12 boys and nine girls aged between 13 to 21 years old.