Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 17 February 2026

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC / the Commission) in the Northern Cape Province officially launches its Final Investigative Report into the Conditions at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH) following an own-initiative investigation conducted in line with its constitutional and statutory mandate.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: Thursday, 12 February 2026

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is concerned by the ongoing water challenges engulfing the country. Communities and households in various parts of the country are battling with lack of access to water. Water is a fundamental human right entrenched in section 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Water is the lifeblood of human existence and plays a critical role in the achievement of several rights, such as healthcare, children’s rights, and education.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
6 February 2026

The subpoena hearing against the Executive Mayor of the City of Matlosana (“Matlosana”), Councillor Fikile Mahlophe (“Mahlophe”), is scheduled to continue on 9 February 2026. The first sitting of the hearing was convened on 12 January 2026, but could not conclude due to the need for the hearing of further evidence.

Philile Ntuli

06 February 2026

In South Africa, we often speak about hunger as though it were an unfortunate side effect of poverty, climate shocks or global food prices. 

But this framing obscures the firm truth: widespread hunger persists not because the country cannot feed itself but because the way food is controlled, distributed and governed actively excludes millions of people.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

05 February 2026

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is pleased to announce its endorsement of the nomination of Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi to serve as a Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). Commissioner Madlingozi has been nominated by the Government of the Republic of South Africa.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

5 February 2026

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) welcomes the publication of the long-awaited draft regulations under the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024 for public consultation. The absence of regulations for two and a half years after President Ramaphosa assented to the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024 meant that cannabis users and cannabis communities, such as the Rastafari, have been left at the mercy of subjective discretion by law enforcement when policing the use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis.

Sexual Violence at Schools Stakeholder Roundtable  

Concept note

Programme

Attention Editors and Reporters
Wednesday 28 January 2026

On Data Privacy Day 2026, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) reaffirms that the protection of personal data is inseparable from the protection of human dignity, equality, and freedom. In an era of artificial intelligence, social media, and constant digital exposure, privacy violations have real and lasting human consequences.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
28 January2026

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission/SAHRC) wishes to communicate the commencement of the second leg of the National Inquiry into Policy Framework around Artisanal Mining, the Impact of Artisanal Mining on the human rights of surrounding communities and the scope and tactics employed in Operation Vala Umgodi (Inquiry).

Attention: Editors and Reporters 
22 January 2026 

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission/SAHRC) is gravely concerned following reports of the forced displacement of the people from Sporong, Randfontein. Reports indicate that affected families have fled their homes because of relentless violence, intimidations and threats linked to illegal mining in the area.