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28 October 2020
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The SAHRC Limpopo Provincial Office is conducting a Human Rights Champions’ Training with identified community members across the Limpopo Province in order to share and popularise its constitutional mandate.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The SAHRC Limpopo Provincial Office is conducting a Human Rights Champions’ Training with identified community members across the Limpopo Province in order to share and popularise its constitutional mandate.
Monday, 19 October 2020
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is in receipt of a complaint regarding a teacher’s self-classification as “African” after his race had already been officially recorded as “Coloured”. The Commission is in the process of assessing the complaint in terms of its Complaints Handling Procedures and will further seek to establish whether the official use of apartheid-era racial categories leads to human rights violations. In assessing the complaint, the Commission will also consider that the charges brought against the teacher by the Western Cape Education Department, have since been withdrawn.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
16 October 2020
During May and later in 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) in Mpumalanga received complaints against Lekwa Local Municipality (Lekwa) regarding various service delivery challenges in Standerton, ranging from water cuts to electricity cuts and unattended water leakages. Issues raised included the poor quality of the water supplied; continuing sewage spillages; dysfunctional sewage pump stations, resulting in raw sewage flowing onto the streets and into storm water drains, the Vaal river and people’s homes; none collection of refuse; and potholes on the roads.
16 October 2020
During May and later in 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) in Mpumalanga received complaints against Lekwa Local Municipality (Lekwa) regarding various service delivery challenges in Standerton, ranging from water cuts to electricity cuts and unattended water leakages. Issues raised included the poor quality of the water supplied; continuing sewage spillages; dysfunctional sewage pump stations, resulting in raw sewage flowing onto the streets and into storm water drains, the Vaal river and people’s homes; none collection of refuse; and potholes on the roads.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 15 October 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) is appealing for calm in the Free State town of Senekal where it is reported that, among others, the Economic Freedom Fighters, Afriforum and farmers are scheduled to protest on Friday, 16 October 2020.
This is in the wake of the recent murder of farm manager in Senekal, Mr Brendin Horner, which led to a mass protest at the Senekal Magistrates’ Court where two accused persons had been set to appear for Horner’s murder.
Thursday, 15 October 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) is appealing for calm in the Free State town of Senekal where it is reported that, among others, the Economic Freedom Fighters, Afriforum and farmers are scheduled to protest on Friday, 16 October 2020.
This is in the wake of the recent murder of farm manager in Senekal, Mr Brendin Horner, which led to a mass protest at the Senekal Magistrates’ Court where two accused persons had been set to appear for Horner’s murder.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Saturday, 10 October 2020
It is with great sadness and shock that the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has learnt about the passing of its Deputy Chairperson, Commissioner Devikarani Priscilla Sewpal Jana.
Acedemic Hospital
Attention: Editors and Reporters
06 October 2020
In May 2018, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (“The Hospital”) became the centre of a national incident, when striking hospital staff embarked on a protest in the hospital that brought parts of the institution to a standstill and left the facilities dishevelled. These events appeared to be the result of a long simmering dispute between hospital workers and the Gauteng Department of Health (“The Department”) over wage increases and non-payment of bonuses. The protests at the Hospital drew attention to the potential for healthcare to be similarly disrupted by protest action.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
06 October 2020
In May 2018, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (“The Hospital”) became the centre of a national incident, when striking hospital staff embarked on a protest in the hospital that brought parts of the institution to a standstill and left the facilities dishevelled. These events appeared to be the result of a long simmering dispute between hospital workers and the Gauteng Department of Health (“The Department”) over wage increases and non-payment of bonuses. The protests at the Hospital drew attention to the potential for healthcare to be similarly disrupted by protest action.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday 1st October 2020
The 2nd of October 2020 marks a milestone for the constitutional democracy and the promotion and protection of human rights in South Africa as the South Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) celebrates twenty five years of its existence.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
21 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) conducted an electronic survey of schools during the week of 24 to 28 August 2020. The aim of the survey was to monitor schools’ readiness for the safe return of learners after nearly 100 teaching days were lost as a result of the novel Corona Virus - Covid 19. Further, the survey targeted all provinces, soliciting and receiving a total of 5 374 responses from provinces nationwide.
21 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) conducted an electronic survey of schools during the week of 24 to 28 August 2020. The aim of the survey was to monitor schools’ readiness for the safe return of learners after nearly 100 teaching days were lost as a result of the novel Corona Virus - Covid 19. Further, the survey targeted all provinces, soliciting and receiving a total of 5 374 responses from provinces nationwide.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Saturday, 19 September 2020
It is with great sadness and shock that the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has learnt about the untimely passing of a Former Commissioner of the SAHRC, Dr. Danny Titus.
Saturday, 19 September 2020
It is with great sadness and shock that the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has learnt about the untimely passing of a Former Commissioner of the SAHRC, Dr. Danny Titus.
For immediate Release: 17 September 2020
To: Editors, Producers and Reporters
Following Caster Mokgadi Semenya’s loss on her appeal at the Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) met on the 15th September 2020 to chart the way forward on this issue of gross human rights violations.
To: Editors, Producers and Reporters
Following Caster Mokgadi Semenya’s loss on her appeal at the Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) met on the 15th September 2020 to chart the way forward on this issue of gross human rights violations.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 16 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is instituting legal proceedings against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Equality Court. The Commission commenced proceedings at the Equality Court on the 19th of August 2020 regarding content distributed by the EFF on 14 September 2019.
Wednesday, 16 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is instituting legal proceedings against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Equality Court. The Commission commenced proceedings at the Equality Court on the 19th of August 2020 regarding content distributed by the EFF on 14 September 2019.
16 September 2020
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On Wednesday, 16 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) will conduct a site inspection of the Mayibuye Primary School in Thembisa. The Commission has initiated an investigation following reports that this ‘state-of-the-art school’, which was supposed to be occupied in 2017, stands as a white elephant after the Department of Education failed to obtain an occupancy certificate because of the ‘dangerous conditions’ which the school was built on.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On Wednesday, 16 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) will conduct a site inspection of the Mayibuye Primary School in Thembisa. The Commission has initiated an investigation following reports that this ‘state-of-the-art school’, which was supposed to be occupied in 2017, stands as a white elephant after the Department of Education failed to obtain an occupancy certificate because of the ‘dangerous conditions’ which the school was built on.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
11 September 2020
On Friday, 11 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) met with health and beauty retailer Clicks Group Limited. This meeting was convened by the Commission following a racist advertisement that appeared on Clicks’ website. This advertisement was published in contravention of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, which prohibits unfair discrimination in general, specifically prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race and gender, and furthermore explicitly prohibits the publication and dissemination of information that unfairly discriminates. The Commission had sent a letter, calling for this meeting with Clicks to understand circumstances that led to the publication of the advert and to understand accountability and sensitivity measures taken by Clicks to guard against the publication of such offensive material in the future.
11 September 2020
On Friday, 11 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) met with health and beauty retailer Clicks Group Limited. This meeting was convened by the Commission following a racist advertisement that appeared on Clicks’ website. This advertisement was published in contravention of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, which prohibits unfair discrimination in general, specifically prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race and gender, and furthermore explicitly prohibits the publication and dissemination of information that unfairly discriminates. The Commission had sent a letter, calling for this meeting with Clicks to understand circumstances that led to the publication of the advert and to understand accountability and sensitivity measures taken by Clicks to guard against the publication of such offensive material in the future.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
10 September 2020
It is with great shock and sadness that the South African Human Rights Commission has learnt of the passing away of Adv George Bizos. We mourn the fall of this human rights giant – the country and humanity has suffered a great loss. He stood for everything that we wish for – freedom, equality, justice, honesty, integrity, professionalism, trust, love and support for fellow South Africans irrespective of colour or creed. He was the most pleasant person to work with.
10 September 2020
It is with great shock and sadness that the South African Human Rights Commission has learnt of the passing away of Adv George Bizos. We mourn the fall of this human rights giant – the country and humanity has suffered a great loss. He stood for everything that we wish for – freedom, equality, justice, honesty, integrity, professionalism, trust, love and support for fellow South Africans irrespective of colour or creed. He was the most pleasant person to work with.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
9 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has noted with concern the utterances and behaviour of members - or persons purporting to be members - of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), since Monday the 7th September 2020. Following a series of protests organised against chain retail group Clicks, in response to a racially divisive advertisement by TRESemme, publicised by Clicks, the Commission reminds the political principals of the political party that they have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of the law and the Constitution. These senior party officials need to conduct themselves in a manner befitting of their office and befitting of the oath they have taken to uphold the Constitution.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 7 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has noted with concern an advert by health and beauty retail store Clicks. The advert, for hair products, seemingly suggests that African hair is amongst others “dry and damaged”. To this effect, the Commission has launched an own-initiative investigation into this matter. The Commission has further written a letter to and called for a meeting with Clicks, for the retail store to explain itself concerning the content of the advert.
Monday, 7 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has noted with concern an advert by health and beauty retail store Clicks. The advert, for hair products, seemingly suggests that African hair is amongst others “dry and damaged”. To this effect, the Commission has launched an own-initiative investigation into this matter. The Commission has further written a letter to and called for a meeting with Clicks, for the retail store to explain itself concerning the content of the advert.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 4 September 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) welcomes the release of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono from detention. However, the Commission remains deeply concerned with reports of alleged continued human rights violations in the Republic of Zimbabwe. We note and support various calls made by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), recently, including the steps it took soon after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic related measures, to highlight the importance of respecting and fulfilling, among others, the right to life, freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment as well as the right to a fair trial.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
27 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is mandated, amongst other things, to promote and protect children’s rights. In celebrating the 25th Anniversary, the Commission will be hosting an Online Webinar on the impact COVID-19 has on the girl child during the women’s month.
27 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is mandated, amongst other things, to promote and protect children’s rights. In celebrating the 25th Anniversary, the Commission will be hosting an Online Webinar on the impact COVID-19 has on the girl child during the women’s month.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) expressed its shock at the footage of Mr. Bulelani Qolani, being dragged naked and forcibly evicted from his shack, in an informal settlement in Cape Town, by Anti-Land Invasion Unit (ALIU). The Commission thus took action as it viewed this incident as a gross violation of Mr. Qolani’s rights to dignity, freedom and security of the person. It is a complete disregard for persons who are without adequate housing due to poverty, particularly during the State of National Disaster as declared in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday, 26 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) expressed its shock at the footage of Mr. Bulelani Qolani, being dragged naked and forcibly evicted from his shack, in an informal settlement in Cape Town, by Anti-Land Invasion Unit (ALIU). The Commission thus took action as it viewed this incident as a gross violation of Mr. Qolani’s rights to dignity, freedom and security of the person. It is a complete disregard for persons who are without adequate housing due to poverty, particularly during the State of National Disaster as declared in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 19 August 2020
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) tasked with the Constitutional mandate to protect, promote and monitor the attainment of human rights, as set out in Chapter Two of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights; views every potential infringement of human rights with equal vigour.
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)