Attention: Editors and Reporters

27 JUNE 2022

Violations of the right to equality remain pervasive in South Africa 27 years into our democracy. In its 2019/2020 Trends Analysis Report, the Commission found that equality-related complaints remained the highest reported complaints nationally. In Mpumalanga, equality-related complaints have also remained high, ranking the fourth highest reported complaints in the 2021/2022 financial year.

26 June 2022

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Today, 26 June 2022, is the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The South African National Preventive Mechanism (South African NPM), established to fulfil South Africa’s international law obligations, solemnly marks this day by noting how the country can do more to discharge its duty to prevent torture and other ill-treatment. 

Attention: Editors and reporters

Date: 24 June 2022

The South African Human Rights Commission will conduct a site inspection of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Monday, 27 June 2022, as it continues with its investigation into the public health system in the province. The visit follows reports that about 870 operations have been cancelled at the Hospital so far this year because of overbooking, equipment problems, maintenance issues, and shortages of linen.

23 June 2022

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has over the past few years received and noted myriad challenges faced by the people living and sleeping on the streets (referred to as ‘homeless people’) in the Cape Town Metro and the province at large. The number of the homeless people has increased significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  There have also been several complaints lodged in recent years relating to the treatment of homeless people by law enforcement agencies.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

22 JUNE 2022

Human rights are universal legal guarantees protecting individuals and groups against actions and omissions that interfere with fundamental freedoms, entitlements, and human dignity. South Africa is hailed as one of the leading economic countries in the African continent, with one of the most celebrated Constitutions in the world because of its progressive human rights framework.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

22 June 2022

The Eastern Cape Provincial Office (“ECPO”) will host a human rights engagement with the Provincial Executive Committee of the province to strengthen the working relationship with the South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”). Further, the engagement will focus on engaging on the systematic human rights challenges the ECPO has identified in the province and the need for government to be held accountable. The Provincial government will also be appraised on most prevalent complaints within the Province, the most unresponsive government stakeholders, as well as general human rights trends within the Province.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

22 June 2022

The Constitution of the Republic requires all spheres of government and all organs of state within each sphere to secure the well-being of the people of South Africa; provide effective, transparent, accountable and coherent government for all people; and to co-operate with one another in mutual trust and good faith by fostering friendly relations; assisting and supporting one another; consulting one another on, matters of common interest; and adhering to agreed procedures.

21 June 2022

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office of the South African Human rights Commission (KZN PO) (the Commission or the SAHRC) will hold a Provincial Inquiry on access to water in KwaZulu Natal. The Inquiry will commence on the 4 July 2022 and will continue until 15 July 2022.  

21 June 2022
Attention: Editors and Reporters

Tomorrow, the South African Human Rights Commission’s (“Commission”) Gauteng Provincial Office will host a stakeholder engagement on the plight of homeless community in Mogale City. In the recent past, the Mogale City Municipality’s Public Safety unit has been accused of serious human rights violations and heavy-handed treatment of homeless people.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

20 June 2022

The South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”) has noted media reports of violence resulting in multiple deaths in the Qhumanco Village in Cofimvaba, and growing tensions between South Africans and non-nationals within the area. Reports have also alluded to allegations of xenophobia which has emanated from criminal conduct and a growing distrust between members of the community.