Attention: Editors and Reporters
22 March 2021

Today, 22 March 2021, marks World Water Day (WWD), globally. The United Nations General Assembly through the adoption of resolution A/RES/47/193 on 22 December 1992 declared 22 March annual WWD. The aim of WWD is to raise awareness about the importance of water, which is the lifeblood of human existence. The theme for 2021 is “Valuing water”, which is apposite for South Africa given that it is a water scarce country and amongst the driest countries in the world.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

21 MARCH 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) Western Cape Provincial Office (WC Office) recognises the significance of Human Rights Day in South Africa and the importance of this day with regards to the promotion of human rights of everyone in South Africa.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Friday, 19^th March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC), on Thursday the 18^th March 2020 welcomed the decision of the Western Cape High Court in the matter with the City of Cape Town on Strandfontein.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

19 March 2021

On Tuesday, 23 March 2021, the Gauteng Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission will host a virtual launch of its 2020-2021 State of Human Rights Report – “Towards Ensuring the Right to Adequate Housing through the Upgrading of Informal Settlements.”

Strandfontein - CoCT/SAHRC and others: SAHRC judgment

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Friday, 19 March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) initiated an own accord investigation following a series of protest action by residents of Tugela Ferry in the uMsinga Local Municipality within the uMzinyathi District Municipality (“the Municipality”) over water shortages.  The Commission subsequently thereafter received complaints from both the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the National Freedom Party (NFP) on behalf of residents in the Municipality relating to the lack of access to water in the Municipality.  The Commission wrote to the Municipality in October 2019 as part of its investigation into the said allegations however, a response from the Municipality was not forthcoming despite various attempts by the Commission to elicit same.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 18th March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) welcomes the judgement handed down by Judge Siraj Desai, in the Western Cape High Court, on Wednesday, the 17th March 2021.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

17 March 2021

On 16 March 2021, the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission), together with the Office of the Public Protector (PP), met with the Minister of Higher Education, Innovation and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande. The meeting was convened to discuss and chart a way forward with respect to existing challenges in higher education and the funding thereof.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
16 March 2021

The Administrator of Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality (“Municipality”), Mr B.M Mhlanga (“Mr Mhlanga”), previously failed to attend subpoena proceedings scheduled for 11 November 2020 by the South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”), necessitating the laying of criminal charges against him in terms of section 22 of the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013. The subpoena proceedings related to the investigation of a complaint regarding water access challenges within the Municipality.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

12 March 2021

To mark the 25th Anniversary of the SAHRC the Gauteng Provincial Office of the Commission has produced a five part podcast series looking at the work of the Commission.