Strandfontein - CoCT/SAHRC and others: SAHRC judgment

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Friday, 19 March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) initiated an own accord investigation following a series of protest action by residents of Tugela Ferry in the uMsinga Local Municipality within the uMzinyathi District Municipality (“the Municipality”) over water shortages.  The Commission subsequently thereafter received complaints from both the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the National Freedom Party (NFP) on behalf of residents in the Municipality relating to the lack of access to water in the Municipality.  The Commission wrote to the Municipality in October 2019 as part of its investigation into the said allegations however, a response from the Municipality was not forthcoming despite various attempts by the Commission to elicit same.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 18th March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) welcomes the judgement handed down by Judge Siraj Desai, in the Western Cape High Court, on Wednesday, the 17th March 2021.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

17 March 2021

On 16 March 2021, the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission), together with the Office of the Public Protector (PP), met with the Minister of Higher Education, Innovation and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande. The meeting was convened to discuss and chart a way forward with respect to existing challenges in higher education and the funding thereof.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
16 March 2021

The Administrator of Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality (“Municipality”), Mr B.M Mhlanga (“Mr Mhlanga”), previously failed to attend subpoena proceedings scheduled for 11 November 2020 by the South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”), necessitating the laying of criminal charges against him in terms of section 22 of the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013. The subpoena proceedings related to the investigation of a complaint regarding water access challenges within the Municipality.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

12 March 2021

To mark the 25th Anniversary of the SAHRC the Gauteng Provincial Office of the Commission has produced a five part podcast series looking at the work of the Commission.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 11 March 2021

Today, 11 March 2021, the High Court in Pretoria made an order in the matter between the EFF Student Command v Minster of Higher Education and Others, to which the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) was admitted as an amicus. This matter concerned a directive issued by the Minster of Higher Education for the University of South Africa (UNISA) to reduce its first-time student intake for the year 2021. As a result, UNISA accepted only 38 000 students, shy of the anticipated 58 000.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Monday, 08 March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the SAHRC”) is deeply concerned by the recent attacks on non-nationals, which commenced on Sunday 28 February 2021 at the Soldiers Way Market trading precinct / area in the Durban CBD that left several non-nationals including women injured and traumatised. It has also been alleged that members of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) attacked and assaulted non-nationals and petrol -bombed their shops / business in the Durban CBD on Monday 08 March 2021. The SAHRC condemns these on-going violent attacks and the looting and threats on businesses owned by non-nationals in the city.

By Bongani Majola

 
8 Mar 2021
 
   
The South African Human Rights Commission, and the rest of South Africa, felt a sense of relief when the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines arrived on 1 February.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Monday, 8th March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has received a number of complaints from prospective TVET College and university students regarding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). These prospective students, and currently enrolled students at institutions of higher learning, have criticised the manner in which NSFAS has handled their applications for financial aid. Further, the complaints also deal with the accessibility and flaws in NSFAS’ appeal procedures for students who have been rejected by the scheme. The Commission is particularly concerned about the implications on inter alia the right to further education, in terms of section 29(1)(b) of the Constitution.