28 March 2019

The post-apartheid South African society as per section 1 of the 1996 Constitution is founded on values of equality, the advancement of human rights and non-racialism amongst others. Despite many measures, initiatives and efforts, including the enactment of laws, policies and establishment of institutions such as the South African Human Rights Commission; to build a South Africa where all those who live in it, black and white, equally belong; the challenge of racism and its polarizing effects still persist in our beloved country.

08 April 2019

South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or the Commission) is deeply concerned about the reports of several burglaries, and vandalism of school premises over the last week at the Reuben Birin Special School for the Hearing Impaired in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.
The vandalism of this school impacts negatively on the realisation of the right to access basic education for 140 children with disabilities. The right to education is a fundamental right protected by section 29 of the South African Constitution. Accordingly, fundamental human rights cannot be denied to anyone, regardless of their disability. Furthermore, as all human rights are indivisible, interrelated, and interdependent; such occurrences are inextricably tied to violations of other basic rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, including the right to an environment that is not harmful to health and well-being.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: 03 April 2019

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will conduct a site inspection of the Sebokeng and Rietspruit Waste Water Treatment Plant in the Emfuleni Local Municipality. The inspection seeks to gauge progress made since the deployment of the army to address the crisis.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: 03 April 2019

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) will visit Alexandra today to get a first-hand experience of the situation on the ground. This visit follows reports that the situation in Alexandra was on a knife-edge as protests have escalated.

28 March 2019

The previous year was riddled with scandals such as the looting of VBS Mutual Bank, as outlined in the report on behalf of the South African Reserve Bank, by Advocate Terry Motau, entitled The Great Bank Heist.
This is but one of the many issues of rampant corruption and a deterioration in governance and accountability in both private and public sectors, in recent times.

27 March 2019

The Commission released its findings in Johannesburg earlier, after a number of organisations lodged formal complaints.
One of the complaints emanated from a rally in KZN - where Malema accused Indian employers of exploiting black workers.
The Commission dealt with five complaints brought by the FW de Klerk Foundation and various organizations in the private sector.
This includes a complaint that Malema called for land reform and the slaughtering of white people.

28 March 2019

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has found that various remarks by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema do not amount to hate speech. SAHRC provincial manager Buang Jones gave more details and listeners also reacted to the decision by the commission. Click here for the interview.

28 March 2019

Osmond Mngomezulu is the Senior Legal Officer at the South African Human Rights Commission and he talks about judgement of the commission on the Julius Malema comment of hate speech. Click here for the podcast.

28 March 2019

The South African Human Rights Commission, SAHRC says that EFF leader Julius Malema`s comments were offensive, but it do not legally qualify as hate speech. Senior researcher at SAHRC, Dr Shanelle van der Burg made the announcement in Johannesburg earlier today. The Commission had consolidated complaints of alleged hate speech against Malema and other members of his party who have allegedly uttered words towards certain race groups in the country. Senior Legal Officer at SAHRC, Osmond Mngomezulu elaborates. Click here for the podcast.

28 March 2019


The South Africa Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Thursday ordered the department of human settlements to finalise its special national housing programme for people with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities.
The order was made in the commission’s report into the status of mental healthcare in the country, which was prompted by the Life Esidimeni tragedy which claimed the lives of at least 144 psychiatric patients.