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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.
06 Mar 2024
With March themed as Human Rights Month, the Human Rights Commission of South Africa SAHRC will observe the 2024 Human Rights Day at the Steenbok Community Hall on Friday March 8. Human Rights Month reminds South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in the country. On March 21, 1960, apartheid police officers in a black township. Sharpeville, opened fire on a group of people peacefully protesting against oppressive laws.
With March themed as Human Rights Month, the Human Rights Commission of South Africa SAHRC will observe the 2024 Human Rights Day at the Steenbok Community Hall on Friday March 8. Human Rights Month reminds South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in the country. On March 21, 1960, apartheid police officers in a black township. Sharpeville, opened fire on a group of people peacefully protesting against oppressive laws.
26 Feb 2024
SAHRC probes alleged extortion ring at Pretoria East flats Residents at the Nellmapius Heatherly flats have detailed harrowing accounts of being terrorised by alleged gang members in their own homes. Nellmapius Heatherly flats residents are being targeted by gang members.
SAHRC probes alleged extortion ring at Pretoria East flats Residents at the Nellmapius Heatherly flats have detailed harrowing accounts of being terrorised by alleged gang members in their own homes. Nellmapius Heatherly flats residents are being targeted by gang members.
26 Feb 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission in Mpumalanga will on Monday launch its 2021/2022 service delivery report in Mbombela. The commission launched an inquiry after it received a number of service delivery complains under all the local municipalities in Mpumalanga.
The South African Human Rights Commission in Mpumalanga will on Monday launch its 2021/2022 service delivery report in Mbombela. The commission launched an inquiry after it received a number of service delivery complains under all the local municipalities in Mpumalanga.
26 Feb 2024
"I asked them to call my parents but again they ignored me. They put us in the cells where we found other detainees." The girl said she used one of her fellow detainees' cellphone to call her parents, whose phones went to voicemail. She eventually reached her sister, who alerted their father. "I was scared, tired, worried and anxious. I just wanted to go home. Every time I see a police van I wonder whether they will arrest me again." The teenager's father said on arrival at the police station no one could tell him why his daughter was locked up.
"I asked them to call my parents but again they ignored me. They put us in the cells where we found other detainees." The girl said she used one of her fellow detainees' cellphone to call her parents, whose phones went to voicemail. She eventually reached her sister, who alerted their father. "I was scared, tired, worried and anxious. I just wanted to go home. Every time I see a police van I wonder whether they will arrest me again." The teenager's father said on arrival at the police station no one could tell him why his daughter was locked up.
26 Feb 2024
Khazimla Adam aspires to be an ambassador for the UN International Children's Emergency Fund. She was recently elected as Nelson Mandela Bay junior city mayor Simtembile Mgidi Slowing down is simply not an option for Woodridge College head girl Khazimla Adam, with her CV recently receiving another impressive addition. From being elected as the Nelson Mandela Bay junior city mayor to becoming the national youth parliament speaker, Adam is now the newly elected SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC children's rights ambassador for the Eastern Cape.
Khazimla Adam aspires to be an ambassador for the UN International Children's Emergency Fund. She was recently elected as Nelson Mandela Bay junior city mayor Simtembile Mgidi Slowing down is simply not an option for Woodridge College head girl Khazimla Adam, with her CV recently receiving another impressive addition. From being elected as the Nelson Mandela Bay junior city mayor to becoming the national youth parliament speaker, Adam is now the newly elected SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC children's rights ambassador for the Eastern Cape.
24 Feb 2024
THE decision to discontinue Cape Town City's DialaRide service to Atlantis from March 18, will affect commuters with disability who rely heavily on the service. Among those who are unhappy are two regular customers with disability, and a couple who complained of discrimination because their threeyearold daughter could not accompany them as she was a minor in terms of the service's rigid registration policy. The City's Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, said budget cuts and an oversubscribed service had led to a review of the service which had high cancellations, and passengers who lived close to MyCiTi bus stops. He said the annual budget was R28.1 million with an additional R5m for the 2023 24 financial year.
THE decision to discontinue Cape Town City's DialaRide service to Atlantis from March 18, will affect commuters with disability who rely heavily on the service. Among those who are unhappy are two regular customers with disability, and a couple who complained of discrimination because their threeyearold daughter could not accompany them as she was a minor in terms of the service's rigid registration policy. The City's Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, said budget cuts and an oversubscribed service had led to a review of the service which had high cancellations, and passengers who lived close to MyCiTi bus stops. He said the annual budget was R28.1 million with an additional R5m for the 2023 24 financial year.
21 Feb 2024
Rights group investigates after girl 'detained for not carrying ID' The South African Human Rights Commission's SAHRC office in Gauteng has launched an investigation into a complaint about the reported arrest and detention of a minor by police for not carrying an identity document.
Rights group investigates after girl 'detained for not carrying ID' The South African Human Rights Commission's SAHRC office in Gauteng has launched an investigation into a complaint about the reported arrest and detention of a minor by police for not carrying an identity document.
20 Feb 2024
THE SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC in KwaZuluNatal has called a meeting with water experts to help address ongoing water supply issues in Durban in violation of residents' right to water. Provincial SAHRC manager Pavershree Padayachee said the commission has since January undertaken various initiatives, such as convening meetings with affected communities; participating in war room meetings; and liaising with various government actors across the three spheres of government.
THE SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC in KwaZuluNatal has called a meeting with water experts to help address ongoing water supply issues in Durban in violation of residents' right to water. Provincial SAHRC manager Pavershree Padayachee said the commission has since January undertaken various initiatives, such as convening meetings with affected communities; participating in war room meetings; and liaising with various government actors across the three spheres of government.
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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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