10 April 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission on Thursday said an apology by Matjhabeng mayor Nkosinjani Speelman for using an offensive term in reference to the coloured community of Bronville would not suffice, confirming that it would launch a full investigation once the national lockdown ends.

13 April 2020

Law enforcement and protesters confront each other in Khayelitsha on Sunday.

City of Cape Town law enforcement shot at land occupiers protesting against the demolition of their shacks in Empolweni, Khayelitsha on Sunday.

21 April 2020

The City of Johannesburg has halted the demolition of illegal shacks in Lawley following talks with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

22 April 2020

CAPE TOWN – The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will weigh in on allegations that Africans are being discriminated against in China amid coronavirus fears.

21 April 2020
 
Shacks being destroyed at a Lawley squatter camp outside Ennerdale in Johannesburg, 16 April 2020, by Red Ants under the watch of JMPD on the 21st day of the national shutdown. Picture: Nigel Sibanda
It can’t be true that the majority of people occupied the land during the lockdown period, said Buang Jones, the SAHRC’s provincial head.

21 April 2020

PRETORIA, April 21 (ANA) – The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Tuesday said it had reached an agreement with City of Johannesburg Geoff Makhubo to halt the demolition of residents’ houses in Lawley.

28 April 2020
 
Cape Town – The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has made scathing findings of conditions at the Strandfontein Sports complex where thousands of homeless people are housed during the Covid-19 lockdown. The SAHRC has recommended that the site be closed down.

Commissioner Chris Nissen said: “We received a report independently produced by NGOs we were working with. The assessment of the site and the report recommended that the site be decommissioned. We’re gathering all the information of the report and will be meeting with the City.”
The team recommended that immediate improvements take place at the site; provision be made to ensure the daily presence of medical personnel to assess occupants in each tent and manage referrals to the on-site health services; safety and security measures be implemented, especially for women and transgenders; and a phased closure of the site as a Covid-19 shelter, with a stop to any further admissions.
It also recommended that a multi-sectoral task team led by the City be urgently established, including representatives from the street people now staying at Strandfontein, civil society organisations, the local Strandfontein community and representatives from civil society.
“One of our biggest concerns is safety and security, along with health services. Our main issue is that they have no hourly medical services on standby and no proper assessment being done on the health and well- being of the homeless staying there,” Nissen said. He said he had been pressing authorities to say what would happen after lockdown ends.

Source: 24/7News Africa

Monday 27 April 2020 - 4:05pm
 
JOHANNESBURG - The SAHRC is reminding security forces to uphold human rights and people to adhere to lockdown conditions.
The SA Human Rights Commission says it has been made aware of a raid on a mosque in Mpumalanga conducted by the police.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Friday, 1 May 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) notes the significance of Worker’s Day, celebrated on the 1^st May in South Africa. The Day should be seen as a celebration and well deserved rest for those who honestly and positively add to society through their economic activity.

Attention: Editors and Reporters 

Wednesday, 29 April 2020 

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) and Mail and Guardian will collaborate in hosting a free webinar on Thursday, the 30^th April 2020, from 13:00 to 14:00 PM at the link below: