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Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: Thursday, 12 February 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is concerned by the ongoing water challenges engulfing the country. Communities and households in various parts of the country are battling with lack of access to water. Water is a fundamental human right entrenched in section 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Water is the lifeblood of human existence and plays a critical role in the achievement of several rights, such as healthcare, children’s rights, and education.
6 February 2026
The subpoena hearing against the Executive Mayor of the City of Matlosana (“Matlosana”), Councillor Fikile Mahlophe (“Mahlophe”), is scheduled to continue on 9 February 2026. The first sitting of the hearing was convened on 12 January 2026, but could not conclude due to the need for the hearing of further evidence.
05 February 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is pleased to announce its endorsement of the nomination of Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi to serve as a Commissioner of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). Commissioner Madlingozi has been nominated by the Government of the Republic of South Africa.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
5 February 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) welcomes the publication of the long-awaited draft regulations under the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024 for public consultation. The absence of regulations for two and a half years after President Ramaphosa assented to the Cannabis for Private Purposes Act 7 of 2024 meant that cannabis users and cannabis communities, such as the Rastafari, have been left at the mercy of subjective discretion by law enforcement when policing the use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis.
Wednesday 28 January 2026
On Data Privacy Day 2026, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) reaffirms that the protection of personal data is inseparable from the protection of human dignity, equality, and freedom. In an era of artificial intelligence, social media, and constant digital exposure, privacy violations have real and lasting human consequences.
28 January2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission/SAHRC) wishes to communicate the commencement of the second leg of the National Inquiry into Policy Framework around Artisanal Mining, the Impact of Artisanal Mining on the human rights of surrounding communities and the scope and tactics employed in Operation Vala Umgodi (Inquiry).
22 January 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission/SAHRC) is gravely concerned following reports of the forced displacement of the people from Sporong, Randfontein. Reports indicate that affected families have fled their homes because of relentless violence, intimidations and threats linked to illegal mining in the area.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) expresses its deepest condolences to the families, learners, educators, and communities affected by the tragic scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark. 12 children are reported to have lost their lives following an accident where a scholar transport minibus collided with a truck. The Commission commends the authorities for charging the driver in the hope that it will lead to truth-finding and consequence management.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
19 January 2026
As schools reopen, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) today, 19 January 2026, released its final report on the systemic challenges in the scholar transport programme in the North West Province, following its investigation and inquiry into the matter.
After reviewing the totality of evidence from government departments, civil society organisations, parents and guardians, learners, service providers, public transport associations, and oversight institutions, along with the applicable law and policy framework, the Commission found that allegations of systemic failures and rights violations in the scholar transport programme in the North West have been substantiated.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 16 January 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) expresses serious concern regarding the severe flooding and persistent disruptive rainfall affecting parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 16 January 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) will on Monday, 19 January 2026, officially launch its Scholar Transport Report at Orion Safari Lodge, Rustenburg, North West.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 16 January 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) wishes to inform stakeholders that it has extended its deadline for the call for submissions for the National Investigative hearing into the food systems of South Africa.
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Attention: Editors and Reporters
In line with its constitutional mandate, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) has been monitoring school admissions programmes over the years and has noted a systemic problem of learners not being placed or not being placed on time.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 13 January 2026
As schools reopen, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) wishes to announce that during the months of January and February, it will embark on a month-long school readiness monitoring exercise.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 09 January 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC/the Commission) North West Provincial Office (NWPO) will convene a subpoena hearing against the Executive Mayor of the City of Matlosana Municipality, Councillor Fikile Mahlophe.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 12 December 2025
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) is aware of a recent media briefing by Bafana Bafana, in which the coach, Mr Hugo Broos, made several statements expressing views on Bafana Bafana player, Mr Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 11 December 2025
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) through its Gauteng Provincial Office has been inundated with complaints from residents from Rand West City Local Municipality and Merafong Local Municipality alleging prolonged and recurring water shortages and outages.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
South Africa is a country with abundant food resources and the capacity to feed its entire population. Yet millions of people go to bed hungry every night, children continue to suffer from stunting and malnutrition, and in the most severe cases, lives are lost due to preventable hunger.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 09 December 2025
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), together with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights South Africa (OHCHR), and the Constitution Hill (Conhill), will on 10 December 2025, commemorate the signing into law of the Constitution and the International Human Rights Day at the Constitution Hill.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 04 December 2025
Today, 4 December 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission, through its Eastern Cape Provincial Office, released its Final Inquiry Report into the protest and unrest at Walter Sisulu University. This report concerns incidents that took place on and around 27 May 2024. The investigation considered medical evidence, expert ballistics analysis, institutional submissions and testimony from affected students, security personnel, South African Police Services (SAPS) and oversight bodies.
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
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