 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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.
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
'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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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".
28 Mar 2024
Two dedicated activists from KwaZuluNatal have been honoured by the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC for their unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts in the local community. Roshan Jainath, who helped rebuild the Khan Road informal settlement, which suffered damage during the July 2021 unrest when shacks were torched, said that he was humbled to receive this award. "It was a collective effort with the Peace and Development Forum that rebuilt the informal settlement.
Two dedicated activists from KwaZuluNatal have been honoured by the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC for their unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts in the local community. Roshan Jainath, who helped rebuild the Khan Road informal settlement, which suffered damage during the July 2021 unrest when shacks were torched, said that he was humbled to receive this award. "It was a collective effort with the Peace and Development Forum that rebuilt the informal settlement.
26 Mar 2024
The Town Hill Hospital's ageing infrastructure was brought under the microscope after the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC visited the institution yesterday. SAHRC commissioners are in the province over the next few days to conduct impromptu, unannounced visits at some institutions as part of their initiative to prevent and monitor if torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishments are taking place at the facilities. The commission's national preventative mechanism NPM is also monitoring the conditions of the buildings and found that the Town Hill Hospital, which is a specialised psychiatric hospital in Pietermaritzburg, was old and the infrastructure was in need of maintenance and upgrading.
The Town Hill Hospital's ageing infrastructure was brought under the microscope after the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC visited the institution yesterday. SAHRC commissioners are in the province over the next few days to conduct impromptu, unannounced visits at some institutions as part of their initiative to prevent and monitor if torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishments are taking place at the facilities. The commission's national preventative mechanism NPM is also monitoring the conditions of the buildings and found that the Town Hill Hospital, which is a specialised psychiatric hospital in Pietermaritzburg, was old and the infrastructure was in need of maintenance and upgrading.
24 Mar 2024
Chris Barron asked South African Human Rights Commission HRC chair CHRIS NISSEN... We have the best human rights in the world on paper, don't we? Of course. The world admires our bill of human rights, and chapter nine of the constitution gives the mandate to the HRC to fulfil it. So why are people still being denied the most fundamental of these rights, the right to clean water? While we have the bill of rights it is those who have to implement it who are failing. Why hasn't the HRC held them to account? We've been fighting for the political will to implement the bill of rights. Why have there been no consequences for not implementing the right to clean water? This is a problem that we have. I want to admit we have not been forthright in this. It's only now.
22 Mar 2024
In his Human Rights Day address yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the critics of load shedding should cut government some slack because under apartheid a lot of people were denied electricity. The president said this while delivering his keynote address at the George Thabe Cricket Pitch in Sharpeville yesterday, following a wreathlaying ceremony at the Sharpeville Memorial earlier. The annual celebrations commemorates the gunning down of 69 antiapartheid protesters in Sharpeville on March 21,1960.
In his Human Rights Day address yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the critics of load shedding should cut government some slack because under apartheid a lot of people were denied electricity. The president said this while delivering his keynote address at the George Thabe Cricket Pitch in Sharpeville yesterday, following a wreathlaying ceremony at the Sharpeville Memorial earlier. The annual celebrations commemorates the gunning down of 69 antiapartheid protesters in Sharpeville on March 21,1960.
22 Mar 2024
ASYLUMseekers living along a pavement in Bellville who were evicted from Paint City last year have asked to be relocated to a safer place after a taxi injured a woman. It has been five months since the group of around 150 people were evicted from the shelter. They have been living on Robert Sobukwe Drive, outside the shelter, since October. The asylumseekers first illegally occupied the Methodist Church on Greenmarket Square in 2019, and around 600 were then placed in Bellville.
ASYLUMseekers living along a pavement in Bellville who were evicted from Paint City last year have asked to be relocated to a safer place after a taxi injured a woman. It has been five months since the group of around 150 people were evicted from the shelter. They have been living on Robert Sobukwe Drive, outside the shelter, since October. The asylumseekers first illegally occupied the Methodist Church on Greenmarket Square in 2019, and around 600 were then placed in Bellville.
21 Mar 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC is weighing its options in a case where a Woodlands woman was heard saying she has had enough of "these natives". In the voice note shared in a Woodlands WhatsApp group, and addressed to area councillor Garth Middleton, who is also a group member, the woman can be heard ranting about how they used to live without worrying about water outages because they were "run properly" by the "boer ous". SAHRC provincial manager Pavershree Padayachee yesterday told The Witness that she had listened to the voice note and that the commission will look into the matter.
The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC is weighing its options in a case where a Woodlands woman was heard saying she has had enough of "these natives". In the voice note shared in a Woodlands WhatsApp group, and addressed to area councillor Garth Middleton, who is also a group member, the woman can be heard ranting about how they used to live without worrying about water outages because they were "run properly" by the "boer ous". SAHRC provincial manager Pavershree Padayachee yesterday told The Witness that she had listened to the voice note and that the commission will look into the matter.
17 March 2024
ON THE INCREASE IN SA Political and taxirelated killings are worsening and experts say the paymasters get away with murder KILLED A screenshot captured by a CCTV camera of the night AKA was assassinated in Durban I think there is a sense among many of the people involved in the killings that they can act with impunity Assassinations have become the method of choice for eliminating someone in South Africa and policing experts are alarmed by the boldness of the hits with bodyguards no longer a deterrent for hitmen and the impunity of the perpetrators.
ON THE INCREASE IN SA Political and taxirelated killings are worsening and experts say the paymasters get away with murder KILLED A screenshot captured by a CCTV camera of the night AKA was assassinated in Durban I think there is a sense among many of the people involved in the killings that they can act with impunity Assassinations have become the method of choice for eliminating someone in South Africa and policing experts are alarmed by the boldness of the hits with bodyguards no longer a deterrent for hitmen and the impunity of the perpetrators.
13 Mar 2024
THE South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC is investigating a complaint relating to Knysna residents allegedly being subjected to drinking contaminated water after a corpse was found in the local reservoir. The corpse was found in the Khayalethu reservoir in November last year when municipal personnel noticed the body floating in the water and alerted authorities. SAHRC commissioner Chris Nissen confirmed that a commissioner was deployed to the Knysna area two weeks ago and received the complaint among other issues related to the community.
THE South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC is investigating a complaint relating to Knysna residents allegedly being subjected to drinking contaminated water after a corpse was found in the local reservoir. The corpse was found in the Khayalethu reservoir in November last year when municipal personnel noticed the body floating in the water and alerted authorities. SAHRC commissioner Chris Nissen confirmed that a commissioner was deployed to the Knysna area two weeks ago and received the complaint among other issues related to the community.
11 March 2024
SHACK dwellers organisation, Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement, has welcomed recent developments in its attempts to find justice for its members who have been killed and targeted in apparent political violence. The SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC has announced that a police task team has been established to investigate the string of murders of members of the civic organisation. The commission wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa in June last year, seeking the intervention of justice, crime prevention and security agencies in what they said were persistent human rights violations reported by the organisation and its members. In 2022, Abahlali experienced multiple killings of its activists, especially in KwaZuluNatal.
SHACK dwellers organisation, Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement, has welcomed recent developments in its attempts to find justice for its members who have been killed and targeted in apparent political violence. The SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC has announced that a police task team has been established to investigate the string of murders of members of the civic organisation. The commission wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa in June last year, seeking the intervention of justice, crime prevention and security agencies in what they said were persistent human rights violations reported by the organisation and its members. In 2022, Abahlali experienced multiple killings of its activists, especially in KwaZuluNatal.
11 Mar 2024
THE eThekwini Municipality has denied allegations of internal sabotage after it was revealed in a town hall meeting called by the SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC to discuss water challenges in the city last week that a valve at the Mountview Reservoir in Verulam has a locked chain on it. This comes in the midst of ongoing water outages in the area, among others in the city, that have resulted in multiple protests by affected residents who say their constitutional rights are being violated.
THE eThekwini Municipality has denied allegations of internal sabotage after it was revealed in a town hall meeting called by the SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC to discuss water challenges in the city last week that a valve at the Mountview Reservoir in Verulam has a locked chain on it. This comes in the midst of ongoing water outages in the area, among others in the city, that have resulted in multiple protests by affected residents who say their constitutional rights are being violated.
07 Mar 2024
SA Human Rights Commission officials walked in the shoes of Ntabenkonyana Senior Secondary School pupils on Wednesday morning from Mbizana village in Middledrift. Pupils leave their homes daily as early as 6.45am to walk more than 101un to and from school. SGB chair Mbuyiseli Venene said the school had more than 350 pupils from grades 8 to 12, with more than 300 requiring scholar transport. Other villages near the school are Njwaxa and Gqadushe. Venene said the school was built at a central point that made it far from the three villages.
SA Human Rights Commission officials walked in the shoes of Ntabenkonyana Senior Secondary School pupils on Wednesday morning from Mbizana village in Middledrift. Pupils leave their homes daily as early as 6.45am to walk more than 101un to and from school. SGB chair Mbuyiseli Venene said the school had more than 350 pupils from grades 8 to 12, with more than 300 requiring scholar transport. Other villages near the school are Njwaxa and Gqadushe. Venene said the school was built at a central point that made it far from the three villages.
07 Mar 2024
AHRC calls for gentlerneutral school uniforms Uniform and appearance policies infringe on pupils' rights to dignity, says human rights commission The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has found that in certain circumstances, school uniform and appearance policies infringe on pupils' rights to dignity in South African schools. Commissioner of the SAHRC, Professor Tshepo Madlingozi presented the SAHRC school uniform report's findings and recommendations during a parliament briefing before the portfolio committee of Basic Education on Tuesday. "After noting an increase in reports of alleged overregulation of the school uniform and appearances of pupils, the commission, through its Eastern Cape provincial office resolved to not only further investigate these matters, but also host an inquiry into allegations of discrimination against pupils in this regard," said Madlingozi.
AHRC calls for gentlerneutral school uniforms Uniform and appearance policies infringe on pupils' rights to dignity, says human rights commission The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has found that in certain circumstances, school uniform and appearance policies infringe on pupils' rights to dignity in South African schools. Commissioner of the SAHRC, Professor Tshepo Madlingozi presented the SAHRC school uniform report's findings and recommendations during a parliament briefing before the portfolio committee of Basic Education on Tuesday. "After noting an increase in reports of alleged overregulation of the school uniform and appearances of pupils, the commission, through its Eastern Cape provincial office resolved to not only further investigate these matters, but also host an inquiry into allegations of discrimination against pupils in this regard," said Madlingozi.
About us
Understanding PAIA
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.
Sentinel House, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)