23 July 2021

The recent mayhem that left many dead and malls and shops looted, causing potential job losses, should be blamed on the lack of leadership in the country.

20 July 2021

Pretoria - The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is set to host dialogue and stakeholder engagements following the widespread violence and looting in parts of South Africa last week.

3 August 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) welcomes the Constitutional Court’s judgment in the matter of Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and Another [2021] ZACC 22, which was handed down by the apex court on Friday, 30 July 2021. The seminal judgment, which brings an end to protracted proceedings that commenced thirteen years ago, brings much-anticipated legal certainty in the sphere of hate speech.

29 July 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Bondev Property Management Company (Bondev) met today and concluded a round of fruitful talks over a circular issued concerning the COVID-19 vaccination programme at Midstream Estate Barracks (estate) in the City of Ekurhuleni.

27 July 2021  

The issue of riots, crime, and violence in South Africa is a growing concern as it presents a significant obstacle to human rights and respect for the rule of law in the country. Where there is unrest and violence in the country it goes without saying that human rights violations are present, if not rife. The recent looting and destruction were unparalleled and must be condemned in the strongest terms. They, however, demonstrate that crime and violence remain a disease in our society that must be cured in order for the country to pursue the visions of a country united in diversity.

27 July 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters

In July 2020 the SAHRC received a complaint from a member of the public relating to the social media account known as “Tracy Zille”. It appeared from the account that a white woman was making disparaging, racist and harassing comments towards black women in particular.
From a closer inspection, and after an expose in the media, it was reported that the Tracy Zille account was in fact run by one Mr Anthony Mathumba, a local councillor from the Makhado Local Municipality. It was further reported that Mr Mathumba was generating an income from making these disparaging and inflammatory comments online through companies he owned and registered to which social media users were directed.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
27 JULY 2021

Over the years, the Commission has received and investigated service delivery complaints against various local municipalities in Mpumalanga. The issues raised in the various complaints included the failure by municipalities to provide water and housing, sewage spillages, sewage treatment challenges, electricity outages, non-collection of refuse and potholes on the roads.

27 July 2021
ATT: Editors and Reporters

Following complaints of racism raised during peaceful protests on Monday, 31 May 2021, the SAHRC initiated an investigation into the environment and pupil’s experiences at Cornwall Hill College.

Attention Editors and Reporters

22 July 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) has noted, with shock and sadness, reports on the on-going taxi violence that is taking place in the Western Cape, particularly in the Cape Town Metropolitan area. The Commission is concerned and appeals for tolerance in the midst of the escalating violence between the two Taxi Associations (CODETA and CATA) which also directly impacts on the safety, livelihood and lives of communities, commuters and the general public.  Such conduct is extremely concerning, particularly given that it is impacting communities that already face great hardship amidst the current restrictions related to the COVID 19 pandemic, and resultant economic downturn. The Commission therefore strongly urges all parties to continue with engagements aimed at finding common ground and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

18 July 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) condemned the "lawlessness" during the recent looting and unrest - and called on South Africa to emulate the late Nelson Mandela by upholding the law.