6 August 2021

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), has resolved to probe the unrest which occurred in KZN and Gauteng during July 2021, following its unequivocal condemnation of the violence and unlawful conduct which ensued during the unrest. The SAHRC reiterates State responsibility in terms of Section 7 of the Constitution to “respect, promote and fulfil” all the rights in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution. These rights include – but are not limited to - equality, human dignity, freedom and security of the person, freedom of movement and residence, freedom of trade, occupation and profession, and various socio-economic rights such as housing, health care, food, water, and education.

27 July 2021

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is calling on Cornwall Hill College management, board of directors, current and former pupils, staff and other interested parties to make written submissions as it investigates claims of racism and a lack of diversity at the school.

23 July 2021

On Friday, 23 July the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) hosted a dialogue with various organisations focusing on the civil unrest and looting which took place in certain parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last week.

23 July 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission says racial tensions in Phoenix highlights the urgent work that still needs to be done to address social cohesion.

23 July 2021

The recent mayhem that left many dead and malls and shops looted, causing potential job losses, should be blamed on the lack of leadership in the country.

20 July 2021

Pretoria - The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is set to host dialogue and stakeholder engagements following the widespread violence and looting in parts of South Africa last week.

3 August 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) welcomes the Constitutional Court’s judgment in the matter of Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and Another [2021] ZACC 22, which was handed down by the apex court on Friday, 30 July 2021. The seminal judgment, which brings an end to protracted proceedings that commenced thirteen years ago, brings much-anticipated legal certainty in the sphere of hate speech.

29 July 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Bondev Property Management Company (Bondev) met today and concluded a round of fruitful talks over a circular issued concerning the COVID-19 vaccination programme at Midstream Estate Barracks (estate) in the City of Ekurhuleni.

27 July 2021  

The issue of riots, crime, and violence in South Africa is a growing concern as it presents a significant obstacle to human rights and respect for the rule of law in the country. Where there is unrest and violence in the country it goes without saying that human rights violations are present, if not rife. The recent looting and destruction were unparalleled and must be condemned in the strongest terms. They, however, demonstrate that crime and violence remain a disease in our society that must be cured in order for the country to pursue the visions of a country united in diversity.

27 July 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters

In July 2020 the SAHRC received a complaint from a member of the public relating to the social media account known as “Tracy Zille”. It appeared from the account that a white woman was making disparaging, racist and harassing comments towards black women in particular.
From a closer inspection, and after an expose in the media, it was reported that the Tracy Zille account was in fact run by one Mr Anthony Mathumba, a local councillor from the Makhado Local Municipality. It was further reported that Mr Mathumba was generating an income from making these disparaging and inflammatory comments online through companies he owned and registered to which social media users were directed.