12 Jul 2023

THE SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC hopes to release its provisional report into the July unrest later this month. In June 2021, the Constitutional Court sentenced former president Jacob Zuma to 15 months' imprisonment for contempt of court. Soon thereafter, the looting of businesses and burning of trucks started in parts of KwaZuluNatal and Gauteng, allegedly as a result of anger at Zuma's imprisonment. During the unrest, more than 300 people died nationally. In Phoenix, 36 people were arrested after 36 people were killed.

09 Jul 2023

THE South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC is yet to make public findings and recommendations following a national investigative hearing into the July 2021 unrest. The hearing was launched to uncover the causes of the unrest in Gauteng and KZN and its impact on human rights. The investigation began in KwaZuluNatal on November 15, 2021, and lasted three weeks, while the second leg of the hearing was in Gauteng between February 21 and March 4, last year. A panel was tasked with establishing the root cause of the alleged racially motivated attacks and killings, the causes of the lapses in law enforcement and the role of private security companies during the unrest. Government departments, state entities, business chambers and members of the affected communities gave evidence. President Cyril Ramaphosa was also called before the commission.

14 Jul 2023

A protest march organised by local organisation Kopanang Africa held in Johannesburg in March last year highlighted injustices against foreign nationals. THAPELO MOREBUDI SA police accused of 'state xenophobia' 'Migrant women risk violence trying to make ends meet' By Koena Mesitale State xenophobia remains a sobering truth in SA as migrants recount how they can't trust the services they get from the police who they accuse of often looking at people's nationalities rather than helping them. Roshila Nair, convener at Global South Against Xenophobia said the phrase, "institutionalised xenophobia" is a phrase her organisation is quite familiar with. "We also refer to it as 'state xenophobia'. Xenophobia reflected in government and state actions," said Nair.

14 Jul 2023

Dairy shop bans LGBTQ+ people from its premises 'Not welcome' sign under probe By Khanyisile Ngcobo The SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC has confirmed it is investigating a complaint against a Gqeberha shop in the Eastern Cape over the display of a sign barring LGBTQ+ people. Earlier this week, images appeared on social media showing a sign outside spices and dairy shop La Gardi that reads: "LGBTQ not welcome at La Gardi. Save our children?", and citing the "right of admission reserved" policy.

17 Jul 2023

SAHRC MEETS WITH KHAN ROAD UNREST VICTIMS AKHEEL SEWSUNKER Two years after the atrocities of the July unrest, the wounds are still fresh for some Khan Road residents who are still awaiting justice for the crimes that were committed during that week. The South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC held a meeting at Truro Hall in Northdale on Saturday to fill in the gaps of the report on the events that transpired at the Khan Road informal settlement from July 9 to July18, 2021, after two shooting incidents and a fire broke out at the settlement, leaving hundreds of residents homeless and sparking a humanitarian crisis. Two cases of murder and one of arson were opened for investigation.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

08 August 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission Gauteng Provincial Office (GPO) will visit Tembisa Hospital on 08 August 2023.

13 Jul 2023

The SA Human Rights Commission SAHRC has been roped in to resolve a dispute about a discriminatory sign outside a Parkside business that drew the ire of the LGBTQI+ community. Queer people and organisations as far afield as Namibia have instructed the owner of La Gardi Catering Plastics to take down the chalkboard brandishing the wording "LGBTQ_not welcome at Lagardi, save our children" on it. However, the shop owner, Dawood Lagardien, has refused to back down on the board and his beliefs. "That's the truth, that is correct, you have the picture of the board, so what more do you need?" Lagardien asked.

07 Jul 2023

CASES were lodged with the South African Human Rights Commission SAHRC , the Department of Basic Education and the Equal Employment Law Centre as pupils attending Colesberg Combined School are apparently being subjected to a bathroom ban during classes. Parents indicated that young children, including Grade 1 pupils, were only permitted to make use of the ablution facilities during break. "During break time there are long queues outside the restrooms and pupils miss out on the feeding scheme meal. For some children this is the only meal that they have for the day " parents pointed out.

7 August 2023

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission’s in North West Province will convene the second sitting of its provincial investigative inquiry into unfinished and inadequate RDP houses in the North West on 8 August 2023. The provincial investigative inquiry forms part of an ongoing investigation into the challenges relating to RDP houses in the province.

5 August 2023

ATT: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ Commission) met with Crawford College International, Pretoria as part of an own accord investigation.

The meeting follows the release of a video of a substitute Grade 8 English teacher writing racist terms on a whiteboard during a lesson. In the video, learners can be heard complaining about the conduct of the teacher.