Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 08 July 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) has noted serious allegations of corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS). These allegations were made by KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, during a media briefing on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

By Tshepo Madlingozi and Lee-Anne Germanos ManuelOpinion 

1 July 2025 

South Africa hosted its first ever Pride March in 1990, thanks to the likes of Bev Ditsie, Simon Nkoli and Phumi Mthetwa. In 2006, South Africa became the fifth country in the world to legalise same-sex unions, enabling any person to enter into a civil union. A civil union recognises the same rights and responsibilities as Civil Marriages, with the main difference being its acceptance of all types of relationships on an equal basis.

By Tshepo Madlingozi & Naleli Morojele
04 June 2025

As Africa Month ends, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) wishes to draw attention to a key struggle for African self-determination, remembering and “re-membering”. That struggle is the struggle for the full liberation of cannabis. 

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 07 July 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) will host a high-level hybrid summit on Human Rights and Disinformation on 8 and 9 July 2025 in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 04 July 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (“SAHRC”) joins the rest of the country to mourn the passing away of former Deputy President, Mr David Mabuza. Mr Mabuza passed away at the age of 64 at a hospital in Johannesburg.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 02 July 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) reminds the public and all relevant stakeholders that the right to access healthcare services in South Africa is a universal right afforded to everyone within the Republic’s borders, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 26 June 2025

Today, June 26, 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) and the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) mark the International Day in Support of the Victims of Torture. Under the theme "Torture: A Crime Against Humanity” the significance of this day is traced back to 26 June 1987 when the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) came into force.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 25 June 2025

June is commemorated as the Environment Month in recognition of the central role of the environment to human existence. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has remained concerned about environmental challenges and has continued to monitor the implementation of the right to an environment that is not harmful to one’s health and wellbeing.

Thursday, 19 June 2025
Attention: Editors and Reporters 

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) in the Northern Cape Province will be hosting two high-level stakeholder engagements as part of its strategic efforts to strengthen partnerships, promote constitutional values, and advance the realisation of human rights in the province.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 19 June 2025

As South Africa approaches the fourth anniversary of the July 2021 Unrest, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) remains deeply concerned by the slow pace of justice regarding criminal incidents that unfolded during that period. Drawing on its investigative findings and the final report titled “July’s People”, the Commission underscores its commitment to ensuring accountability, and transparency, in post-unrest prosecutions.

The SAHRC’s July 2021 report found that the violence in Phoenix and surrounding areas during the unrest was not random, but racially motivated, with African people targeted and attacked. Despite claims that groups of African people carrying pangas posed a threat, this narrative was not substantiated by any of the available evidence. The Commission remains concerned that these claims were racially charged fabrications that fuelled vigilante violence. The Commission has also received evidence of racially motivated mistreatment in custody, where Phoenix unrest suspects were attacked in holding cells by other inmates allegedly seeking retribution.

A total of twelve unrest-related criminal matters were heard at the Verulam Magistrate Court. Six inquests related to Phoenix deaths were also conducted. Disturbingly, all six inquests were concluded informally, without public hearings. These informal procedures, while legally permissible, fall short of delivering the level of transparency and public accountability warranted by the severity of the July Unrest atrocities.

One unresolved murder case from the unrest remains on the court roll and is scheduled to be heard at the Verulam Magistrate Court today, on 19 June 2025. The Commission will attend the court proceedings on a watching brief, represented by Commissioner Philile Ntuli in her role as one of the July Unrest Inquiry panellists. This watching brief forms part of various activities being undertaken by the Commission to monitor the implementation of the July Unrest Report recommendations.

The SAHRC is also actively considering its legal options to request the judiciary to convene formal and public inquests into the July unrest deaths, particularly those arising in Phoenix and surrounding areas, including Khan Road Corner, in Pietermaritzburg. The SAHRC calls on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the judiciary, and all branches of government to commit to restoring public confidence in the justice system by ensuring that the truth surrounding the events that occurred in July 2021 is uncovered through public, formal legal processes.

ENDS