Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 14 October 2024
The Jagersfontein dam disaster serves as a stark reminder of the potential repercussions when economic interests are placed above environmental stewardship and community welfare. In September 2022, the dam collapsed, unleashing a torrent of toxic sludge that devastated surrounding communities, contaminated local water systems, and destroyed agricultural land essential for food production. This catastrophic event not only displaced families, but also highlighted the urgent need for stricter regulatory oversight in the mining sector, as well as a more profound commitment to sustainable practices that prioritise both environmental health and the livelihoods of those affected.
Monday, 14 October 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) acknowledges the findings of the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (NFNSS) report and welcomes its detailed insights into the critical issues of food security and malnutrition across South Africa. The report highlights the alarming levels of food insecurity affecting 63.5% of households and underscores the growing threat of severe food insecurity for vulnerable populations, particularly children.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday,14 October 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission's (SAHRC) Eastern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO) is undertaking monitoring initiatives in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality. These initiatives will focus on inspecting correctional centres, police stations, and public service delivery systems, as well as assessing the implementation of recommendations from the Malnutrition Report in schools.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 07 October 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) has noted the statement issued by a member of Parliament, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, following her unsuccessful appeal bid in the Supreme Court of Appeal. In the statement, she criticises the judiciary and alleges persecution by key figures of South Africans of Indian descent.
Date: Monday, 30 September 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is a state institution established by Chapter 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 to support constitutional democracy. The SAHRC is mandated in terms of section 184 of the Constitution to promote the protection, development, and attainment of human rights, and to monitor the observance of such rights within the Republic of South Africa.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 30 September 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) will be conducting a stakeholder engagement on the impact of illegal connections and the commodification of municipal water on the right of access to water enshrined in section 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
The South African Human Rights Commission, the Departments of Basic Education as well as Justice and Constitutional Development, will host the preliminary oral rounds of the 13th Annual South African National Schools Moot Court Programme at the University of Pretoria on 26 and 27 September 2024.
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) Northern Cape Provincial Office (NCPO) will be conducting a stakeholder engagement with traditional councils in the province to address key issues relating to traditional practices, human rights, and the role of traditional authorities in a democratic dispensation.
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) launched the Social Harmony National Effort (SHiNE), to promote social cohesion, harmony, tolerance, and respect for human rights across South Africa. This initiative envisions a bottom-up strategy that encourages all South Africans to embrace good change and create a new culture of intensive social contact, camaraderie, and respect for one another.
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) will host an engagement with stakeholders in the Education sector regarding challenges experienced in securing appropriate services for learners with special educational needs (LSEN) in the Western Cape.
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) Northern Cape 27 September 2024Provincial Office (NCPO), will be conducting a community outreach with the Maremane Communal Property Association (CPA), as it recognises the importance of maintaining strong connections with local communities to fulfil its mandate.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 24 September 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission), through its National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) coordination role, will be participating as an observer at the 14th Annual Funda Mzantsi Championship set to take place in George, Western Cape.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 18 September 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) will host an engagement on Water and Sanitation Services Policy on Privately Owned Land with members of the community of Siyangena in Philippi. The objective of the engagement is to educate the community on this important policy which was promulgated on 16 February 2024. Representatives of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will support the Commission by providing valuable information on the role the DWS plays in the realisation of the right to access water.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 17 September 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is gravely concerned about the announced budget cuts to the basic education sector. The announced budget cuts have already led to proposed job cuts in the Western Cape, with over 2400 jobs set to be cut in that province alone. Some reports suggest that these proposed job cuts will disproportionately affect schools in poor communities, exacerbating the adverse educational outcomes in those communities.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 12 September 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) North West Provincial Office (NWPO) will conduct a subpoena hearing against, Ms Kgomotso Mahlobo, the Head of Department (HOD) of the North West Department of Human Settlements.
Attention Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) led by Commissioners Gungubele and Boshoff yesterday, 10 September 2024 met with the Minister of Human Settlement, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi, to discuss challenges regarding human settlement in the country.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 10 September 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) Eastern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO), has exercised its authority as granted by section 15 of the SAHRC Act, in issuing subpoenas to the Makana Local Municipality. This action is prompted by their non-responsiveness to issues relating to service delivery and multiple allegations letters from the ECPO.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
9 September 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC/the Commission) Eastern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO) will be conducting monitoring, legal, and outreach activities in the Sarah Baartman District Municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality from 9 to 13 September 2024.
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.
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