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SAHRC
Media Advisory: SAHRC to hold Public Investigative Inquiry into Gauteng Water Crisis amid escalating human rights concerns
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.
Media Statement: SAHRC presents its annual plans to stabilise the organisation, enhance government accountability and to address human rights challenges
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Media Statement: SAHRC expresses concern over human rights implications arising from student protests at the University of Venda
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).
Media Statement: The SAHRC Celebrates 30 Years of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa: Towards closing the gap between constitutional promises and lived experiences
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”).
Media Statement: Western Cape Provincial Office alert on severe weather being experienced in the Western Cape
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.
The SAHRC launches a Rights-and-Responsibilities Campaign and calls for an Afrocentric notion of Human Rights and Freedom
As Freedom Month draws to a close, we would do well to remember Madiba’s words: "The time has come to accept in our hearts and minds that with freedom comes responsibility.” Nelson Mandela spoke these words in 1995 during the State of the Nation address. It could be said that Mandela was invoking a notion of freedom that goes beyond the Eurocentric and liberal model. The Botho/Ubuntu notion of freedom conceptualises freedom as ‘freedom for responsibility’, rather than the freedom to do as one pleases.
Media Statement: South African Human Rights Commission celebrates Freedom Day
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.
Media Statement: Constitutional Court Clarifies the Powers of the SAHRC in Agro Data Judgment
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.
Media Statement: The South African Human Rights Commission releases an inquiry report highlighting that municipalities in the NORTHERN Cape Province are in a dire state
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.
Media Advisory: Constitutional Court to deliver judgment on the nature of the South African Human Rights Commission’s powers
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).
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)