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Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 13 July 2026
Today, the South African Human Rights Commission released its investigative report into the state of Police Stations and Correctional Centres in the North West Province.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 10 July 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) welcomes the findings made by the Mdantsane Regional Court in the inquiry into the deaths of the 21 youth who lost their lives at the Enyobeni Tavern in June 2022. Dr Eileen Carter, Provincial Manager of the Commission’s Eastern Cape Provincial Office, was present at the Mdantsane Regional Court during the read-out of the Court’s ruling. The ruling represents an important step towards accountability and towards providing the bereaved families and the broader community with answers concerning the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
Attention Editors and Reporters
Monday, 06 July 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission/SAHRC) invites written submissions from interested stakeholders, experts, communities, industry actors, civil society organisations, academics, regulators and organs of state on the human rights implications of the rapid expansion of data centres and digital infrastructure in South Africa.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 10 July 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) will on Monday, 13 July 2026, launch its investigative report into the state of Police Stations and Correctional Centres in the North West Province.
Monday, 06 July 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) is deeply concerned by reports that lives were lost and property destroyed during a water-related protest action in Ratanda, Heidelberg within the jurisdiction of Lesedi Local Municipality.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday,06 July 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) notes and welcomes the Constitutional Court’s judgment in Adonisi and Others v Minister for Transport and Public Works, Western Cape and Others; Minister of Human Settlements and Another v Minister for Transport and Public Works, Western Cape and Others [2026] ZACC 29, handed down on 2 July 2026.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 03 July 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) will convene the second leg of the National Investigative Hearing into South Africa’s Food Systems from 06–10 July 2026.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 3 July 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) is dismayed by the increasing number of reports of human rights violations against non-nationals across several parts of the country. These reports include obstruction of humanitarian assistance to displaced persons, intimidation of humanitarian organisations and volunteers, alleged unlawful evictions from homes and shelters and continued threats directed at businesses owned by non-nationals. While recent reports from Gqeberha have heightened the Commission's concern, these incidents reflect broader challenges that require an urgent, coordinated and human rights-based response.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 01 July 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) has noted positive developments relating to the Montclair Lodge in Durban, which was reportedly declared ready this past weekend for occupation by the victims from the devasting April 2022 floods. Reports indicate that a total of 137 units have been completed to accommodate flood victims who are currently residing in temporary accommodation on Mahatma Gandhi Road.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) will convene the second leg of the National Investigative Hearing into South Africa’s Food Systems from 06–10 July 2026.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 29 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) notes the ongoing protest marches against the challenges of illegal migration and further acknowledges the planned marches on the 30 June 2026.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 29 June 2026
As Youth Month draws to a close, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) releases a distressing report on the prevalence of sexual violence in schools. The report reveals the staggering pervasiveness of sexual violence in schools. Schools are intended to be safe spaces for learning, development, and the realisation of the right to basic education. When learners are subjected to sexual abuse – whether by educators, peers, staff members, service providers, or external actors – the state’s constitutional duties to respect, protect, promote and fulfil rights are directly implicated.
Saturday, 27 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission), in its capacity as South Africa’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), welcomes its election today as President of the African Network of National Preventive Mechanisms (ANNPM) at the conclusion of the Network’s Fourth Annual Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Saturday, 27 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission), in its capacity as South Africa’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), welcomes its election today as President of the African Network of National Preventive Mechanisms (ANNPM) at the conclusion of the Network’s Fourth Annual Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 25 June 2026
On Monday, 29 June 2026, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) will host a webinar titled "Defining Access to Healthcare", bringing together key stakeholders to engage on one of South Africa's most important constitutional rights.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 25 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) notes the limited gains recorded in the Municipal Finance Management Act 2024-25 consolidated audit outcomes on local government report released by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) on 24 June 2026. According to the report, the municipalities with disclaimed audit opinions declined from 15 in the previous financial year to 8. The number of municipalities which achieved unqualified audit opinions with findings increased from 99 in the previous financial year to 117. The SAHRC cautions against complacency and urges these municipalities to strengthen efforts to ensure that they ultimately achieve a clean audit.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: 19 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission), together with TransHope and the Hate Crimes Working Group represented by Lawyers for Human Rights, welcomes the order granted by the Johannesburg High Court, sitting as an Equality Court on 19 June 2026 in the matter against Mr Ngizwe Mchunu.
Prior to instituting litigation, the Commission sought to resolve the matter directly with Mr Mchunu demanding amongst others that he ceases publishing or promoting content amounting to hate speech or discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual/Aromantic (LGBTQIA)+ persons, to remove all offending material from his platforms within 24 hours, and to issue a public retraction and apology acknowledging the harm caused. However, Mr Mchunu rejected the Commission’s demands, refused to apologise and publicly stated that he stood by his remarks.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 17 June 2025
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) will undertake a three-day (17-19 June 2026) provincial visit to the Free State to monitor the state of human rights, with a particular focus on access to healthcare services.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
113 Years Since the 1913 Natives Land Act and 30 Years of Constitutional Democracy
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) invites members of the public, civil society organisations, social movements, traditional leaders, academics, policymakers, government representatives and members of the media to participate in the Constitutional Dialogue on Land, Human Rights and Spatial Justice.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) welcomes the judgment handed down by Judge Wilson of the Gauteng Division of the High Court on 14 June 2026, in the matter concerning the unlawful eviction and demolition of homes at the Chief Albert Luthuli Informal Settlement (the “N12 Settlement”) in Cloverdene, Benoni.
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)