Northern Cape Water and Sanitation Hearing

SA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEDIA INVITE

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 04 October 2012

The South African Human Rights Commission invites members of the media to the fifth round of its provincial Water and Sanitation Hearings which will be held in the Northern Cape Province.

DATE:     Tuesday, 09 October 2012
VENUE:  Kiemoes Civic, Main Street
TIME:     09h00

These hearings are located within the Commission’s poverty and inequality strategy which is led by the SAHRC Commissioners.

The hearings are as a result of the large number of complaints the Commission receives and the Commission’s recent investigations and findings in respect of widespread complaints on the right to sanitation by the poor.

Not long ago residents of Makhaza lodged a complaint with the Commission after the City of Cape Town installed unenclosed toilets in their area. The Commission found that the provision of unenclosed toilets was not only contrary to the guidelines of the National Housing Code but a violation of their right to dignity. A Similar finding was made on the erection of unenclosed toilets in the Rammolutsi Township, Viljoenskroon, Moqhaka Local Municipality in the Free State.

The Commission linked these two local-level complaints to the generic right to water and sanitation across South Africa and consequently decided to convene the hearings. The hearings will be attended by other Chapter Nine institutions and relevant State and Non-State organs that can be held to account by the communities during the proceedings.

END

For more information on the hearing, please contact Martie on 082 363 4042
 
ISSUED BY:

Isaac Mangena
South African Human Rights Commission
Head: Communications
+27118776303
2771884 8273
imangena@sahrc.org.za