This outcome follows years of sustained engagement by the Commission, dating back to 2015, when the Commission released recommendations pursuant to an Investigative Inquiry to address the absence of reliable ambulance services in this rural community. For more than a decade, the people of Xhora Mouth have been left without adequate access to emergency medical care — with devastating consequences. This is not simply a service delivery gap; it is a violation of the rights to dignity, life, reproductive healthcare, and access to healthcare.

After exhausting its monitoring, investigative, and engagement processes, the Commission approached the Court to secure appropriate redress. The order confirms the Commission’s position and marks a significant victory for the community.

In terms of the court order:

• The State must comply with its constitutional and statutory obligations relating to emergency medical services;
• Within six months, at least two fully equipped, staffed, and operational ambulances must be made available to serve the Xhora Mouth community;
• The State must ensure an adequate, effective, and sustainable ambulance service, including access to referral hospitals such as Madwaleni and Zithulele;
• The responsible respondents must report back to the Court within 7 months on their compliance; and
• Litigation costs have been awarded against the relevant respondents.

This court order is an important step toward restoring dignity and access to healthcare for the people of Xhora Mouth. It affirms that rural communities cannot be left behind, and that constitutional rights must be realised in practice — not only on paper.

The SAHRC will continue to monitor implementation closely and will take further steps if necessary to ensure full compliance with this order.

END