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28 Jun 2023
AN INVESTIGATION into possible human rights abuse concerning the water quality and safety in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is under way. This, after residents raised the alarm that a cancercausing byproduct was found during tests conducted in the water earlier this year. The SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC said an investigation was pending into the water quality in the municipality, after it received complaints from civic movements. Eastern Cape SAHRC provincial manager, Eileen Carter, said the complaints were consolidated.
AN INVESTIGATION into possible human rights abuse concerning the water quality and safety in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is under way. This, after residents raised the alarm that a cancercausing byproduct was found during tests conducted in the water earlier this year. The SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC said an investigation was pending into the water quality in the municipality, after it received complaints from civic movements. Eastern Cape SAHRC provincial manager, Eileen Carter, said the complaints were consolidated.
11 Jun 2023
Hoorskool Namakwaland grade 10 pupil Isaac van Zyl, 17, says his cornrows are 'part of who I am'. Picture: Supplied School backs down after banning pupil for his cornrows By PREGA GOVENDER The governing body of a Northern Cape school has been forced to reverse its controversial decision to ban a pupil from attending class because of his cornrow hairstyle after the intervention of the provincial education department. Calvin Watt, the secretary of the governing body of Hoerskool Namakwaland in Springbok, informed Elisma van Zyl, the mother of grade 10 pupil Isaac van Zyl, in a final notice dated May 30 that her son would not be allowed at school in the new term in July if his hair is not cut "neat and short". Watt, acting on behalf of the governing body, said Van Zyl was aware that her son "refuses to obey the disciplinary code of the school" concerning his hair. "The governing body has after consultations with various role players, including the education department, decided that Isaac, 17, will not be allowed at school until he fulfils the required cleanliness rule." But the education department told the Sunday Times it had asked the governing body to provide evidence of its consultation process with the department. Watt stated in his letter to Van Zyl that if a pupil is allowed to ignore the rules "it leads other learners to ignore rules they don't agree with". "It will eventually lead to lawlessness and a school that won't be effectively managed.
Hoorskool Namakwaland grade 10 pupil Isaac van Zyl, 17, says his cornrows are 'part of who I am'. Picture: Supplied School backs down after banning pupil for his cornrows By PREGA GOVENDER The governing body of a Northern Cape school has been forced to reverse its controversial decision to ban a pupil from attending class because of his cornrow hairstyle after the intervention of the provincial education department. Calvin Watt, the secretary of the governing body of Hoerskool Namakwaland in Springbok, informed Elisma van Zyl, the mother of grade 10 pupil Isaac van Zyl, in a final notice dated May 30 that her son would not be allowed at school in the new term in July if his hair is not cut "neat and short". Watt, acting on behalf of the governing body, said Van Zyl was aware that her son "refuses to obey the disciplinary code of the school" concerning his hair. "The governing body has after consultations with various role players, including the education department, decided that Isaac, 17, will not be allowed at school until he fulfils the required cleanliness rule." But the education department told the Sunday Times it had asked the governing body to provide evidence of its consultation process with the department. Watt stated in his letter to Van Zyl that if a pupil is allowed to ignore the rules "it leads other learners to ignore rules they don't agree with". "It will eventually lead to lawlessness and a school that won't be effectively managed.
09 Jun 2023
WESTERFORD High School is investigating the source of racist posts on social media purporting to come from a pupil at the Rondebosch school. The account, under the name Grade8a_2023, posted images of black slaves and tagged some pupils at the school, with a caption reading: "I found your family". Among other posts is a picture of a Khoisan person accompanied by a caption identifying the person as a teacher at the school. Another image of black slaves chained at the hands and neck is captioned, "who wishes all these black people could leave our classes and go back to where they came from".
WESTERFORD High School is investigating the source of racist posts on social media purporting to come from a pupil at the Rondebosch school. The account, under the name Grade8a_2023, posted images of black slaves and tagged some pupils at the school, with a caption reading: "I found your family". Among other posts is a picture of a Khoisan person accompanied by a caption identifying the person as a teacher at the school. Another image of black slaves chained at the hands and neck is captioned, "who wishes all these black people could leave our classes and go back to where they came from".
09 Jun 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has confirmed its probe into the "unsanitary and inhumane" conditions of a Durban township that uses pit latrines. The DA wrote to the SAHRC's KZN provincial office to intervene after it conducted an oversight visit to KwaMashu two weeks ago and found that the residents had resorted to using buckets to relieve themselves. This was as a result of having to contend with overflowing pit latrines that had not been serviced for more than six years.
The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has confirmed its probe into the "unsanitary and inhumane" conditions of a Durban township that uses pit latrines. The DA wrote to the SAHRC's KZN provincial office to intervene after it conducted an oversight visit to KwaMashu two weeks ago and found that the residents had resorted to using buckets to relieve themselves. This was as a result of having to contend with overflowing pit latrines that had not been serviced for more than six years.
28 May 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has vowed to keep a close eye on the construction of a residential school for children with disabilities in Mpumalanga. This after revelations that the provincial government was spending Rhmillion to rent boarding facilities for the deaf and blind pupils. The commission has raised concerns about the lack of such schools in the province, which forced it to launch its own probe into the matter last year. According to the Democratic Alliance DA in Mpumalanga, the school should have been built more than a decade ago when former deputy president David Mabuza was still the province's premier.
The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has vowed to keep a close eye on the construction of a residential school for children with disabilities in Mpumalanga. This after revelations that the provincial government was spending Rhmillion to rent boarding facilities for the deaf and blind pupils. The commission has raised concerns about the lack of such schools in the province, which forced it to launch its own probe into the matter last year. According to the Democratic Alliance DA in Mpumalanga, the school should have been built more than a decade ago when former deputy president David Mabuza was still the province's premier.
2 May 2023
While the community of Matseding Village is still waiting on the Sekhukhune District Municipality to drain their overflowing pit toilets, the South African Human Rights Commission in Limpopo says it is concerned that such conditions will leave residents exposed to several diseases.
While the community of Matseding Village is still waiting on the Sekhukhune District Municipality to drain their overflowing pit toilets, the South African Human Rights Commission in Limpopo says it is concerned that such conditions will leave residents exposed to several diseases.
06 Jun 2023
THE South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC claims former Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse's failure to respond led to its decision to close the probe into alleged racial discrimination against him at SuperSport. This has raised questions around how it could opt to close the probe without getting to the bottom of why Willemse did not respond. On May 19, 2018, during the postmatch analysis of a Super Rugby match, Willemse left the set, expressing his refusal to be undermined and patronised by fellow studio analysts Nick Mallett and Naas Botha, who had played rugby in the apartheid era. Willemse cited racism as one of the factors that led to his walkout. SAHRC spokesperson, Wisani Baloyi told the Cape Times yesterday that the investigation was in fact closed on March 26, 2021.
THE South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC claims former Springbok wing Ashwin Willemse's failure to respond led to its decision to close the probe into alleged racial discrimination against him at SuperSport. This has raised questions around how it could opt to close the probe without getting to the bottom of why Willemse did not respond. On May 19, 2018, during the postmatch analysis of a Super Rugby match, Willemse left the set, expressing his refusal to be undermined and patronised by fellow studio analysts Nick Mallett and Naas Botha, who had played rugby in the apartheid era. Willemse cited racism as one of the factors that led to his walkout. SAHRC spokesperson, Wisani Baloyi told the Cape Times yesterday that the investigation was in fact closed on March 26, 2021.
05 Jun 2023
NORTH West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha has confirmed that five managers have been transferred from Mahikeng Provincial Hospital pending an investigation into why newborn babies were placed in cardboard boxes. Sambatha confirmed this "precautionary transfer" on Wednesday, 30 May as he gave an update on the latest developments. Last week, the MEC came out to raise concerns about the situation. He revealed that the incident happened on Saturday, 20 May, but management had not been made aware of the matter. "On Thursday, I received a public circulation of picture. Circulating it back to management, I said I can't believe this and need urgent investigation to probe whether indeed this happened in Mahikeng and what the reason for this was," he said.
NORTH West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha has confirmed that five managers have been transferred from Mahikeng Provincial Hospital pending an investigation into why newborn babies were placed in cardboard boxes. Sambatha confirmed this "precautionary transfer" on Wednesday, 30 May as he gave an update on the latest developments. Last week, the MEC came out to raise concerns about the situation. He revealed that the incident happened on Saturday, 20 May, but management had not been made aware of the matter. "On Thursday, I received a public circulation of picture. Circulating it back to management, I said I can't believe this and need urgent investigation to probe whether indeed this happened in Mahikeng and what the reason for this was," he said.
05 Jun 2023
Children murders a great concern for the SAHRC The attempted murders of kids have gone up by 8.8%, reveals crime statistics By Roma Mashale The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC says child murders are a concern despite a drop reflected in the recent crime stats.
Children murders a great concern for the SAHRC The attempted murders of kids have gone up by 8.8%, reveals crime statistics By Roma Mashale The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC says child murders are a concern despite a drop reflected in the recent crime stats.
02 Jun 2023
HRC vows to watch Tshwane over Hammanskraal water City approves R450m budget to fix Rooiwal, two years after report By Koena Mashale and Jeanette Chabalala The South African Human Right Commission HRC says it will put pressure on the City of Tshwane to implement recommendations it made on the provision of water to the community of Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, in the wake of the cholera outbreak. Harriete Buga, HRC Gauteng legal officer, was speaking yesterday following a visit to the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant Two years ago, the commission released a damning report revealing that the pollution of water resources in Hammanskraal was as a result of failure by the city to maintain wastewater treatment works. It found the city had failed to fulfill its constitutional objectives.
HRC vows to watch Tshwane over Hammanskraal water City approves R450m budget to fix Rooiwal, two years after report By Koena Mashale and Jeanette Chabalala The South African Human Right Commission HRC says it will put pressure on the City of Tshwane to implement recommendations it made on the provision of water to the community of Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, in the wake of the cholera outbreak. Harriete Buga, HRC Gauteng legal officer, was speaking yesterday following a visit to the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant Two years ago, the commission released a damning report revealing that the pollution of water resources in Hammanskraal was as a result of failure by the city to maintain wastewater treatment works. It found the city had failed to fulfill its constitutional objectives.
02 Jun 2023
THE FF+ has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC regarding the nonfunctioning pump stations throughout the city. FF+ councillor Johan Smit said work was halted again at the Carters Glen pump station in January due to payment discrepancies. "Raw sewage is running into the veld as a result of leaks around the Petrus Street pump station, Gariep hospital and Hillcrest. The stench The FF+ laid a of sewage lingers in the air in residential areas complaint with the including Hadison Park, El Toro Park and Carters SAHRC regarding Glen. the malfunctioning "Only one pump is working at Gogga pump sewage pump station out of seven that are supposed to be operstations in the city. ational.
THE FF+ has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC regarding the nonfunctioning pump stations throughout the city. FF+ councillor Johan Smit said work was halted again at the Carters Glen pump station in January due to payment discrepancies. "Raw sewage is running into the veld as a result of leaks around the Petrus Street pump station, Gariep hospital and Hillcrest. The stench The FF+ laid a of sewage lingers in the air in residential areas complaint with the including Hadison Park, El Toro Park and Carters SAHRC regarding Glen. the malfunctioning "Only one pump is working at Gogga pump sewage pump station out of seven that are supposed to be operstations in the city. ational.
01 June 23
A Knoflokskraal settlement community leader has come under fire for allegedly using the k-word in a heated voice clip over a land dispute. The Khoisan community moved onto the land in Grabouw in 2020, which is reportedly owned by the Department of Public Works.
A Knoflokskraal settlement community leader has come under fire for allegedly using the k-word in a heated voice clip over a land dispute. The Khoisan community moved onto the land in Grabouw in 2020, which is reportedly owned by the Department of Public Works.
01 Jun 2023
SAHRC to investigate North West hospital's babies in boxes debacle Babies in cardboard boxes at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital in the North West. TWITTER No nurses have been suspended over the incident By Sinesipho Schrieber The SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC has opened an investigation into the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital resources blunder which led to newborn babies being placed in cardboard boxes shortly after birth on May 20. Nurses used boxes instead of incubators or cribs to keep the newborns warm after birth.
SAHRC to investigate North West hospital's babies in boxes debacle Babies in cardboard boxes at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital in the North West. TWITTER No nurses have been suspended over the incident By Sinesipho Schrieber The SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC has opened an investigation into the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital resources blunder which led to newborn babies being placed in cardboard boxes shortly after birth on May 20. Nurses used boxes instead of incubators or cribs to keep the newborns warm after birth.
28 May 2023
The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has vowed to keep a close eye on the construction of a residential school for children with disabilities in Mpumalanga. This after revelations that the provincial government was spending Rhmillion to rent boarding facilities for the deaf and blind pupils. The commission has raised concerns about the lack of such schools in the province, which forced it to launch its own probe into the matter last year. According to the Democratic Alliance DA in Mpumalanga, the school should have been built more than a decade ago when former deputy president David Mabuza was still the province's premier.
The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC has vowed to keep a close eye on the construction of a residential school for children with disabilities in Mpumalanga. This after revelations that the provincial government was spending Rhmillion to rent boarding facilities for the deaf and blind pupils. The commission has raised concerns about the lack of such schools in the province, which forced it to launch its own probe into the matter last year. According to the Democratic Alliance DA in Mpumalanga, the school should have been built more than a decade ago when former deputy president David Mabuza was still the province's premier.
26 May 2023
Hammanskraal cholera crisis: It can Danger: Johanna Maphingane won't drink the foulsmelling water that comes out of taps in Hammanskraal above left and Matlakalala Tshabalala's left above uncle was admitted to Jubilee hospital left . Photos: Delwyn Verasamy He said people were dying while politicians "make PR statements and promises on TV". Rooiwal's refurbishment requires R2.5 billion, which Tshwane's mayor, Cilliers Brink, said is the city's entire capital budget. On Wednesday, the city allocated R150 million a year for the next three years to upgrade Rooiwal. "That is the maximum allocation within existing resources that we can make. I've made it clear that even that allocation is not going to be enough to complete all of the work that needs to be done." The plant is organically and hydraulically overloaded. "Even as far back as 2004, there were warnings to the city that the plant was reaching its capacity. In 2008, another such warning was made and in 2011, environmental contravention notices were issued to the city.
Hammanskraal cholera crisis: It can Danger: Johanna Maphingane won't drink the foulsmelling water that comes out of taps in Hammanskraal above left and Matlakalala Tshabalala's left above uncle was admitted to Jubilee hospital left . Photos: Delwyn Verasamy He said people were dying while politicians "make PR statements and promises on TV". Rooiwal's refurbishment requires R2.5 billion, which Tshwane's mayor, Cilliers Brink, said is the city's entire capital budget. On Wednesday, the city allocated R150 million a year for the next three years to upgrade Rooiwal. "That is the maximum allocation within existing resources that we can make. I've made it clear that even that allocation is not going to be enough to complete all of the work that needs to be done." The plant is organically and hydraulically overloaded. "Even as far back as 2004, there were warnings to the city that the plant was reaching its capacity. In 2008, another such warning was made and in 2011, environmental contravention notices were issued to the city.
24 May 2023
Apart from the recent spike in cholera deaths caused by dirty water, residents of Mokopane in Limpopo fear also contracting waterborne diseases such as malaria and typhoid. And they accused their municipality, Mogalakwena, of neglecting them. Some residents told The Citizen yesterday of the unbearable smell of sewage and uncollected garbage driving them out of their homes and businesses. Houses and streets have been surrounded by piles of rotting garbage and stagnant sewage spillage that had been left unattended for weeks, they claimed. "I depend on my business to put bread on the table for my family. But it has become impossible to make any profit because customers are complaining about the stench," said a street vendor from Mahwelereng outside Mokopane, asking for her name to be withheld. Others said they feared that if not attended in time, the problems may lead to a cholera outbreak, malaria and typhoid as their children play in the dirt.
Apart from the recent spike in cholera deaths caused by dirty water, residents of Mokopane in Limpopo fear also contracting waterborne diseases such as malaria and typhoid. And they accused their municipality, Mogalakwena, of neglecting them. Some residents told The Citizen yesterday of the unbearable smell of sewage and uncollected garbage driving them out of their homes and businesses. Houses and streets have been surrounded by piles of rotting garbage and stagnant sewage spillage that had been left unattended for weeks, they claimed. "I depend on my business to put bread on the table for my family. But it has become impossible to make any profit because customers are complaining about the stench," said a street vendor from Mahwelereng outside Mokopane, asking for her name to be withheld. Others said they feared that if not attended in time, the problems may lead to a cholera outbreak, malaria and typhoid as their children play in the dirt.
23 May 2023
Cholera in Hammanskraal: Don’t drink water from taps – SAHRC Wisani Baloi | 23 May 2023 Commission concerned with outbreak of disease, says source must immediately be identified The South African Human Rights Commission on the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal 23 May 2023 The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) has noted with grave concern the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, North of Pretoria. According to reports, 16 people have so far died as a result of contracting cholera in the area. The Commission also notes that since Monday 15th May 2023, 95 people are reported to have sought treatment for the diarrhoeal disease in Hammanskraal. In addition, reports state that positive lab results of the stool specimens of 19 people who presented at Jubilee District Hospital had symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea. Following the news of the outbreak, the Commission immediately has engaged both the City of Tshwane (CoT) as well as the Provincial Department of Health to seek a full update on measures being put in place to immediately arrest the outbreak, save lives from this disease and to avoid a large-scale and devastating impact of this disease.
Cholera in Hammanskraal: Don’t drink water from taps – SAHRC Wisani Baloi | 23 May 2023 Commission concerned with outbreak of disease, says source must immediately be identified The South African Human Rights Commission on the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal 23 May 2023 The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) has noted with grave concern the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, North of Pretoria. According to reports, 16 people have so far died as a result of contracting cholera in the area. The Commission also notes that since Monday 15th May 2023, 95 people are reported to have sought treatment for the diarrhoeal disease in Hammanskraal. In addition, reports state that positive lab results of the stool specimens of 19 people who presented at Jubilee District Hospital had symptoms of diarrhoea, stomach cramps and nausea. Following the news of the outbreak, the Commission immediately has engaged both the City of Tshwane (CoT) as well as the Provincial Department of Health to seek a full update on measures being put in place to immediately arrest the outbreak, save lives from this disease and to avoid a large-scale and devastating impact of this disease.
23 May 2023
One of the key recommendations calling for the national government to take over the running of the city of Tshwane’s water and sanitation due to poor management is yet to be implemented.
Two years ago, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released a damning report revealing that the pollution of water resources in Hammanskraal was as a result of failure by the city to maintain wastewater treatment works in the area. It found the city had failed to fulfil its constitutional objectives.
One of the key recommendations calling for the national government to take over the running of the city of Tshwane’s water and sanitation due to poor management is yet to be implemented.
Two years ago, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) released a damning report revealing that the pollution of water resources in Hammanskraal was as a result of failure by the city to maintain wastewater treatment works in the area. It found the city had failed to fulfil its constitutional objectives.
22 May 2023
The legal subcommittee of the South African Human Rights Commission has recommended that Belinda Magor, the white woman behind the racist WhatsApp voicenote calling for black people to be killed and their genitals removed, be taken to the Equality Court. Commissioner Andre Gaum told Sowetan a full body of commissioners of the SAHRC would meet on Thursday to decide on the recommendation after the settlement negotiations between the commission and Magor failed.
The legal subcommittee of the South African Human Rights Commission has recommended that Belinda Magor, the white woman behind the racist WhatsApp voicenote calling for black people to be killed and their genitals removed, be taken to the Equality Court. Commissioner Andre Gaum told Sowetan a full body of commissioners of the SAHRC would meet on Thursday to decide on the recommendation after the settlement negotiations between the commission and Magor failed.
20 May 2023
The troubled Trompsburg-based Kopanong Local Municipality in the Free State remains the only municipality in the province under water restriction due to its huge debt running into millions of rands. The municipality has been restricted with a 30% water supply from Bloem Water for at least three years. The municipality owes the water board close to R600 million for services rendered. The debt to Bloem Water has gradually increased. In 2020 the municipality owed Bloem Water over R300 million.
The troubled Trompsburg-based Kopanong Local Municipality in the Free State remains the only municipality in the province under water restriction due to its huge debt running into millions of rands. The municipality has been restricted with a 30% water supply from Bloem Water for at least three years. The municipality owes the water board close to R600 million for services rendered. The debt to Bloem Water has gradually increased. In 2020 the municipality owed Bloem Water over R300 million.
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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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