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Attention Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
National Youth Day represents one of the darkest chapters in the history of human rights. It reminds the country of 16 June 1976, when hundreds of students were killed by the Apartheid regime while protesting the oppressive Bantu Education Act and the forced imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. The South African Human Rights Commission (‘the Commission’) joins the country in commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising by highlighting its work to address the human rights challenges currently facing the youth.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: 15 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission), together with TransHope and the Hate Crimes Working Group, represented by Lawyers for Human Rights, will appear in the Johannesburg High Court on Friday, 19 June 2026, in a matter concerning statements made by Mr Ngizwe Mchunu against members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual/Aromantic (LGBTQIA)+ community.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Sunday, 07 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC/the Commission) Eastern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO) will convene subpoena proceedings involving the Executive Mayor and Municipal Manager of the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province. This follows persistent concerns regarding lack of access to clean and safe water in communities across the district. The proceedings are in line with the Commission’s constitutional mandate to promote, protect, and monitor the realisation of human rights in South Africa.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 01 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) has continued its strategic intervention programme following the Virtual Human Rights Imbizo convened on 25 May 2026, on migration-related tensions and service-delivery concerns.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 28 May 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) convened an Imbizo on Monday, 25 May 2026, to address recent immigration and service delivery-related tensions in various parts of the country, including the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 28 May 2026
As the world commemorates World Hunger Day, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) notes with deep concern the continued reality of hunger, food insecurity and nutritional inequity affecting millions of people across South Africa.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or the Commission) hereby invites members of the public, civil society organisations, community leaders, faith-based organisations, humanitarian groups, and all relevant stakeholders to participate in an urgent virtual Imbizo on the Recent Marches Alleged to be Against Undocumented Migrants in the country. The imbizo is constituted in line with the Commission’s Constitutional mandate to promote respect for, protect, develop, and monitor the observance of human rights in South Africa.
This call follows increasing reports of violence, displacement, and threats to the safety, dignity, and rights of individuals and communities within the province. The Commission recognises the volatility and urgency of the situation, and the need for a collective, inclusive, and coordinated response.
Attention Editors and Reporters
Friday, 22 May 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) invites written submissions from interested stakeholders, experts, communities, industry actors, civil society organisations, academics, regulators and organs of state on the human rights implications of the rapid expansion of data centres and digital infrastructure in South Africa.
Date: 21 May 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) notes recent social media content circulating online reflecting the apparent use of the k-word and other allegedly racially inflammatory language by a Mr Mark Saltzman.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 20 May 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is deeply alarmed by recent reports and circulating footage of violent attacks that appear to target non-nationals. These incidents threaten South Africa’s constitutional values of ubuntu, dignity, equality, and the rule of law, as well as the social cohesion.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: 16 May 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC/the Commission) Gauteng Provincial Office (GPO) will convene an inquiry as part of its investigation into the Water Crisis in Gauteng Province. The Commission undertakes this investigative inquiry as part of its constitutional and statutory mandate to promote, protect and monitor the observance of human rights in the country.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has noted with concern reports, video footage circulating on social media, and public accounts regarding the policing of recent student protests at the University of Venda (UNIVEN).
Saturday, 9 May 2026
This week, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) joined the nation in celebration as South Africa proudly marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (“the Constitution”).
Attention Editors and Reporters
Friday, 8 May 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC/the Commission) Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) notes with concern the impact of severe weather across the Western Cape, particularly in the Garden Route District and other parts of the country. Schools and clinic closures and infrastructure damage have disrupted the rights to education, healthcare, freedom of movement, and consequently human dignity as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 27 April 2026
On this Freedom Day, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) joins the country in celebrating 32 years since the transition from apartheid to a democratic dispensation.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 23 April 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) notes the judgment handed down by the Constitutional Court concerning the nature and scope of its powers under section 184 of the Constitution.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
Today, 22 April 2026, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) launched its Inquiry Report into the state of service delivery at local government level in the Northern Cape Province (Report). The Report emanates from a comprehensive inquiry conducted by the SAHRC through its Northern Cape Provincial Office following a series of complaints regarding service delivery challenges across several municipalities in the Northern Cape Province.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
Tomorrow, 22 April 2026, at 10:00, the Constitutional Court will hand down judgment in the matter of SAHRC v Agro Data CC and FC Boshoff, concerning the binding nature of directives issued by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission).
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 20 April 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) will officially release its Inquiry Report into the state of service delivery at local government level in the Northern Cape Province on Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
About us
Understanding PAIA
The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
Sentinel House, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)