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12 July 2022
Over the years, the Commission has received and investigated complaints relating to the placement of markers on holders’ identity documents.
In the various complaints received, the identity document holders alleged that their identity documents were endorsed with markers by the Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) without affording them an opportunity to make representations. They further alleged that the endorsements strip them of their legal identity, make it difficult for them to assert their human rights and deny them opportunities for full participation in social and economic life.
12th July 2022
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission or SAHRC) invites members of the media to the release of its annual complaints Trends Analysis Report (TAR), for the financial year 2020-2021. The report will be released on Wednesday 13 July 2022 to coincide with the Commission’s countrywide Mandela Day activities.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On Tuesday, 12 July 2022, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) will meet with the City of Tshwane and the Department of Water and Sanitation in Pretoria to assess progress made in implementing its recommendations concerning the state of the City of Tshwane’s rivers and the Roodeplaat Dam.
Date: 11 July 2022
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The SAHRC Chairperson Advocate Bongani Majola conducts a provincial visit in Free State Province from the 11th to 15th of July 2022 to address human rights challenges including issues relating to access to healthcare.
Attention: Editors and reporters
Date: 08 July 2022
The South African Human Rights Commission has invited the Heads of the Gauteng Provincial Departments of Health, Infrastructure Development and Treasury to appear before it on Monday, 11 July 2022, as it continues with its monitoring of the healthcare system in the province.
Since 2018, the Commission has been raising concerns about the dire state of health facility infrastructure in the province. Our investigations have highlighted in part, the poor condition of buildings, the power failures, the lack of safety features, the non-functioning lifts, the non-payment of service providers and the impact of these failures on the provision of healthcare.
08 July 2022
Attention: Editors and Reporters
From 8 to 17 July 2021, South Africa experienced unprecedented violent unrest in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. The unrest was characterized by looting, destruction of property and the disruption of economic activity. The inadequate response due to ill preparedness by the security apparatus of the country was laid bare for all to witness. The result was an estimated 354 deaths, over R50 billion lost to the economy and many having suffered loss of property and livelihoods.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On 14 March 2022, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) commenced an inquiry into racial discrimination and other forms of discrimination in advertising (“the Advertising Inquiry” or “the Inquiry”). The first leg of the Inquiry concluded on 18 April 2022, and the second leg of the Inquiry will run from 29 August 2022 until 9 September 2022.
05 July 2022
On the 2nd of July 2022 the South African Human Rights Commission Eastern Cape provincial office noted from media reports the alleged gang rape of a 13 year old learner by fellow grade 12 learners at the Maria Louw High School in Komani, Eastern Cape. Based on the seriousness of the allegations as well as the urgent need to ensure that the safety of children is upheld, the Commission conducted a site inspection at the school yesterday the 4th July 2022.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) regrets the postponement of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Inquiry on Access to Water. The Inquiry was scheduled to commence this Monday, 04 to 15 July 2022.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
27 JUNE 2022
Violations of the right to equality remain pervasive in South Africa 27 years into our democracy. In its 2019/2020 Trends Analysis Report, the Commission found that equality-related complaints remained the highest reported complaints nationally. In Mpumalanga, equality-related complaints have also remained high, ranking the fourth highest reported complaints in the 2021/2022 financial year.
26 June 2022
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Today, 26 June 2022, is the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The South African National Preventive Mechanism (South African NPM), established to fulfil South Africa’s international law obligations, solemnly marks this day by noting how the country can do more to discharge its duty to prevent torture and other ill-treatment.
Date: 24 June 2022
The South African Human Rights Commission will conduct a site inspection of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Monday, 27 June 2022, as it continues with its investigation into the public health system in the province. The visit follows reports that about 870 operations have been cancelled at the Hospital so far this year because of overbooking, equipment problems, maintenance issues, and shortages of linen.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has over the past few years received and noted myriad challenges faced by the people living and sleeping on the streets (referred to as ‘homeless people’) in the Cape Town Metro and the province at large. The number of the homeless people has increased significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have also been several complaints lodged in recent years relating to the treatment of homeless people by law enforcement agencies.
22 JUNE 2022
Human rights are universal legal guarantees protecting individuals and groups against actions and omissions that interfere with fundamental freedoms, entitlements, and human dignity. South Africa is hailed as one of the leading economic countries in the African continent, with one of the most celebrated Constitutions in the world because of its progressive human rights framework.
22 June 2022
The Eastern Cape Provincial Office (“ECPO”) will host a human rights engagement with the Provincial Executive Committee of the province to strengthen the working relationship with the South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”). Further, the engagement will focus on engaging on the systematic human rights challenges the ECPO has identified in the province and the need for government to be held accountable. The Provincial government will also be appraised on most prevalent complaints within the Province, the most unresponsive government stakeholders, as well as general human rights trends within the Province.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
22 June 2022
The Constitution of the Republic requires all spheres of government and all organs of state within each sphere to secure the well-being of the people of South Africa; provide effective, transparent, accountable and coherent government for all people; and to co-operate with one another in mutual trust and good faith by fostering friendly relations; assisting and supporting one another; consulting one another on, matters of common interest; and adhering to agreed procedures.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office of the South African Human rights Commission (KZN PO) (the Commission or the SAHRC) will hold a Provincial Inquiry on access to water in KwaZulu Natal. The Inquiry will commence on the 4 July 2022 and will continue until 15 July 2022.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tomorrow, the South African Human Rights Commission’s (“Commission”) Gauteng Provincial Office will host a stakeholder engagement on the plight of homeless community in Mogale City. In the recent past, the Mogale City Municipality’s Public Safety unit has been accused of serious human rights violations and heavy-handed treatment of homeless people.
20 June 2022
The South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”) has noted media reports of violence resulting in multiple deaths in the Qhumanco Village in Cofimvaba, and growing tensions between South Africans and non-nationals within the area. Reports have also alluded to allegations of xenophobia which has emanated from criminal conduct and a growing distrust between members of the community.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) has opened an own accord investigation into a leaked audio recording in which the UNISA Principal and Vice-Chancellor and other women staff members are threatened with molestation and violence.
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.
27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)