Attention Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 27 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) is this week undertaking a series of strategic engagements in Gauteng from 26 to 28 May 2025, focusing on the protection of migrants’ rights. The week-long activities are led by Commissioner Aseza Gungubele, responsible for Migration; Human Settlements; and Climate Justice.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 27 May 2025

The South African Human Right’s (SAHRC) Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) will embark on a human rights and legal clinic in Worcester and surrounding areas. The clinic is part of initiates by the Commission to make its services more accessible to people who live in far flung areas.

FOR ATTENTION: ALL EDITORS
TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission / SAHRC) welcomes the recent judgment handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Pieters and Another v Stemmet and Another ([2025] ZASCA 60), which upholds the rights of long-term occupiers to security of tenure under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997 (ESTA). This ruling affirms that land designated for agricultural purposes remains subject to protections under ESTA, even when it is located within a township.

FOR ATTENTION: ALL EDITORS
SUNDAY, 25 MAY 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission / SAHRC) joins the African continent and the global community in commemorating Africa Day, a day which marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on 25 May 1963, now the African Union (AU).This day stands as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for liberation, self-determination, unity, and dignity for all Africans.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 26 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is an institution established and mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution) to promote, respect for, protection of, and observation of human rights.

 Attention: Editors and Reporters
Saturday, 23 MAY 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC/ Commission) has instituted legal proceedings under the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 against Mr. Dawood Lagardien.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 21 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) through its Free State Provincial Office (FSPO) will brief the Free State Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Office of the Premier, on the contents of the inquiry report into the state of service delivery at local government level in the Free State Province.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Access to water is essential to everyone’s health, dignity and prosperity. It is important for municipalities appointed as water services authorities to fulfil their crucial and direct role of providing everyone, particularly vulnerable communities, with access to water.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 19 May 2025

On Tuesday, 20 May 2025, the South African People’s Tribunal on AgroToxins (SAPToA) and the South African Human Rights Commission will make representations on Highly Hazardous Pesticides and other Agrotoxins to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture.

Friday, 16 May 2025
Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) confirms that it has settled a complaint against Mr Renaldo Gouws in relation to a video he published in 2010, which contained racially offensive and harmful language directed at Black South Africans.

Joint Media Statement
Wednesday, 14 May 2025

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Commission), the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) have noted media reports that the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) has decided to appeal Mr. Timothy Omotoso’s acquittal.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 13 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) North West Provincial Office (NWPO) will resume the third and final sitting of its investigative inquiry into the state of scholar transport in the province. This sitting will specifically focus on finalising the oral evidence of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Community Safety and Transport Management (COSATMA).

Sunday, 27 April 2025
Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) joins the country to mark Freedom Day 2025. This day is celebrated annually to remind us of an historic moment where on 27 April 1994, Black people in South Africa were for the first time able exercise their democratic right and vote.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 25 April 2025                                                                                       

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC/ the Commission) North West Provincial Office (NWPO) is resuming its investigative inquiry into scholar transport challenges in the province. This inquiry seeks to examine and assess the challenges affecting the provision of learner transport, especially in rural and underprivileged communities, following numerous complaints about inadequate, unreliable, and unsafe scholar services that undermine learners’ constitutional rights.

Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) has received and accepted unconditional apologies from Mr Nhlamulo Baloyi and Ms Belinda Magor, following findings of prima facie hate speech contravention of Section 10 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (PEPUDA).

Editors/Reporters
Monday, 22 April 2025

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) have learnt with a sense of great loss and sadness about the passing away of Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 15 April 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) has learned, with grave concern, news of a tragic shooting incident that occurred this morning at Walter Sisulu University (WSU). Preliminary reports indicate that one student has lost his life, while three others sustained injuries, allegedly after an altercation with security officials . The Commission extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, and wishes the injured students a full and speedy recovery.

EDITORS/REPORTERS                                                                 
10 APRIL 2025

Over the years South Africa has seen a shocking and drastic increase in reported and recorded cases of sexual offences. This is a cause for concern because it touches the core and moral fibre of our society in general.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 09 April 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) notes the Yellow Level 2 weather warning the South African Weather Service issued for 9 April 2025. The warning anticipates disruptive rainfall and strong winds in various parts of the country. While this is a moderate-level alert, it poses a real risk to lives, property, and essential services—particularly in vulnerable communities due to socio-economic conditions and inadequate infrastructure.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 09 April 2025

On 08 February 2025, the South African Human Right Commission (SAHRC/Commission) released a statement to communicate its planned National Inquiry into Policy Framework around Artisanal Mining.