The Commission’s submissions form part of its ongoing constitutional mandate to promote, protect, and monitor the observance of human rights in South Africa. The Commission's engagement with Usindiso Commission highlights the urgent need to address systemic failures in urban housing, inner-city governance, and the protection of socio-economic rights, particularly the right to access adequate housing, and the right to access basic services as enshrined in Section 26 and 27 of the Constitution.

In its oral submissions, the Commission will highlight: 

1. The shortcomings of the state and municipalities in their duty to take reasonable legislative and other measures to ensure the progressive realisation of the right to adequate housing;
2. The importance of preventing arbitrary evictions, especially where alternative accommodation is required to prevent homelessness.
3. The need for the city to provide basic services in occupied buildings in the inner city, as a basic human right and a preventative measure to the state of degradation in which people live in occupied buildings.

The Commission will emphasise that the proliferation of unsafe buildings is not only a result of building hijackings, but also of institutional failures in enforcement, housing provision, and service delivery.

The Commission commends the work done by Usindiso Commission of Inquiry and sees it as a vital step towards accountability and systemic reform. The Commission reiterates its readiness to work collaboratively with state institutions and civil society to ensure that the right to safe, dignified, and adequate housing becomes a lived reality for all residents of Johannesburg.

For further information or inquiries, please contact Zamantungwa Mbeki, Gauteng Provincial Manager, on 083 720 3360 or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ENDS

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission