14 November 2022
Attention: Editors and Reporters

In a “REPORT INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SORROUNDING THE DEATHS OF MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS: GAUTENG PROVINCE”, the Health Ombuds recommended that the Minister of Health should request the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) to undertake a systematic and systemic review of human rights compliance and possible violations nationally related to mental health.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

9 November 2022

The investigation follows allegations of environmental pollution and raw sewage pouring into the Wemmer Pan Lake. The Commission in the Gauteng Province, received complaints with photos via email from local businesses such as RANDCO and River Bend Villas, indicating the perilous nature of the lake’s pollution. According to the complaints received and media reports, the lake is heavily polluted, covered by an almost shiny oily layer and the stench of hydrogen-sulphide. This has negatively affected the local community, businesses, and those who use the lake for recreational purposes.

 Attention: Editors and Reporters

9 November 2022

 The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) has received various complaints relating to statements made by the President of the Economic Freedom Fighters (“EFF”), Mr Julius Malema MP, as well as posters/banners displayed by the EFF at the meeting of the EFF’s Provincial People’s Assembly in the Western Cape on 16 October 2022.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

09 November 2022

The United Nations General Assembly designated 19 November as World Toilet Day. The Day seeks to raise awareness and foster action towards access to safe sanitation. The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. Target 6.2 of the SDG 6 calls for the achievement of safe toilets for all by 2030. Despite this noble goal, the world is seriously off track in achieving this target. According to estimations, the world will need to work four times faster to be able to deliver on the promise of safe toilets for all by 2030.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

08 November 2022

The South African Human Rights Commission (‘the Commission’) Gauteng Provincial Office is conducting various monitoring activities across the province. Section 184 (1) (c) of the Constitution states that the Commission must monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic.

 

Attention: Editors and Reporters

 

07 October 2022

 

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (“the Commission”) Northern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO) will be conducting various monitoring activities in Namakwa District Municipality District. Section 184 (1) (c) of the Constitution states that, the Commission must monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic.  The role of monitoring and assessing potential and actual human right violations provides the Commission with an opportunity to ensure redress and to ensure that human rights are upheld in the Republic.

25 Oct 2022

Schools and teachers from Lansdowne, Mitchell’s Plain and surrounding areas recently attended the launch of the Social Harmony National Effort (SHiNE) project of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) at the Al Ihklaas Academia Library in Lansdowne.

The project is in line with the SAHRC’s mandate to promote respect for human rights in the country.

26 October 2022

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has confirmed that it has received complaints against Unisa for alleged human rights violations that are said to be happening at this institution.

The Star was recently made to understand that, on top of a series of administrative problems, Unisa is also beset by allegations of human rights violations, which include the bullying of senior and junior staff by members of the executive.

18 October 2022

SAHRC resumes hearings on complaints of law enforcement brutality during evictions in Western CapeThe South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has kicked off its second round of sittings on allegations of law enforcement brutality during land evictions in the Western Cape.

Commissioner Chris Nissen says they have received several complaints in the Southern Cape and Cape Town on allegations of excessive force being used by law enforcement agencies during removals and demolishing of shacks.

17 OCTOBER 2022

Pretoria - South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) chairperson Chris Nissen has called on national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola to take drastic action against police officers who abuse members of the public.

Nissen was responding to the startling Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) report that revealed that thousands of police officers had been investigated for numerous human rights violations.

In its annual report, Ipid disclosed that it investigated more than 5 000 crimes that were committed by police officers.