Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 25 June 2025

June is commemorated as the Environment Month in recognition of the central role of the environment to human existence. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has remained concerned about environmental challenges and has continued to monitor the implementation of the right to an environment that is not harmful to one’s health and wellbeing.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Date: 20 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is outraged by reports that workers of the humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers were allegedly threatened and intimidated on 14 June 2025 whilst providing essential aid to flood victims in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape Province.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 19 June 2025

As South Africa approaches the fourth anniversary of the July 2021 Unrest, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) remains deeply concerned by the slow pace of justice regarding criminal incidents that unfolded during that period. Drawing on its investigative findings and the final report titled “July’s People”, the Commission underscores its commitment to ensuring accountability, and transparency, in post-unrest prosecutions.

The SAHRC’s July 2021 report found that the violence in Phoenix and surrounding areas during the unrest was not random, but racially motivated, with African people targeted and attacked. Despite claims that groups of African people carrying pangas posed a threat, this narrative was not substantiated by any of the available evidence. The Commission remains concerned that these claims were racially charged fabrications that fuelled vigilante violence. The Commission has also received evidence of racially motivated mistreatment in custody, where Phoenix unrest suspects were attacked in holding cells by other inmates allegedly seeking retribution.

A total of twelve unrest-related criminal matters were heard at the Verulam Magistrate Court. Six inquests related to Phoenix deaths were also conducted. Disturbingly, all six inquests were concluded informally, without public hearings. These informal procedures, while legally permissible, fall short of delivering the level of transparency and public accountability warranted by the severity of the July Unrest atrocities.

One unresolved murder case from the unrest remains on the court roll and is scheduled to be heard at the Verulam Magistrate Court today, on 19 June 2025. The Commission will attend the court proceedings on a watching brief, represented by Commissioner Philile Ntuli in her role as one of the July Unrest Inquiry panellists. This watching brief forms part of various activities being undertaken by the Commission to monitor the implementation of the July Unrest Report recommendations.

The SAHRC is also actively considering its legal options to request the judiciary to convene formal and public inquests into the July unrest deaths, particularly those arising in Phoenix and surrounding areas, including Khan Road Corner, in Pietermaritzburg. The SAHRC calls on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the judiciary, and all branches of government to commit to restoring public confidence in the justice system by ensuring that the truth surrounding the events that occurred in July 2021 is uncovered through public, formal legal processes.

ENDS

Thursday, 19 June 2025
Attention: Editors and Reporters 

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) in the Northern Cape Province will be hosting two high-level stakeholder engagements as part of its strategic efforts to strengthen partnerships, promote constitutional values, and advance the realisation of human rights in the province.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 18 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission / SAHRC) has observed, with concern, public discourse at national and global platforms, whereby the Expropriation Act (No. 13 of 2024) (hereafter “Expropriation Act”) is portrayed as a key component of South Africa’s land reform agenda. The position of the SAHRC is that the Expropriation Act does not clarify the conditions for equitable redistribution of land. Neither does it present a compensation framework that is historically sensitive. It merely delineates the procedures and conditions under which the State may acquire privately owned land.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 18 June 2025

On Thursday 12 June 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) through its Free State Provincial Office (FSPO) was granted a court order by the Free State High Court against the Masilonyana Local Municipality and its Municipal Manager who were cited as the first and second respondents in the matter.

Attention Editors and Reporters
Monday, 16 June 2025

As the country commemorates National Youth Day, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) honours the bravery of the youth of 1976 who dared the apartheid government to protest against its policy of forcing Afrikaans as the language of instruction in Black schools.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 13 June 2025

On this International Albinism Awareness Day, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) stands in solidarity with persons with albinism and joins the global community in reaffirming their inherent dignity, equality, and rights.  This day serves as both a solemn reminder of the discrimination and violence faced by persons with albinism and a call for government, civil society, and the private sector to advance inclusion, uphold and protect their human rights. The 2025 International Albinism Awareness Day is marked under the theme Demanding our Rights: Protect our Skin, Preserve our Lives

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 13 June 2025

Yesterday morning, 12 June 2025, the Minister in the Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, announced that:

“Cabinet has approved the ban of Terbufos, also known as Halephirimi, and the import of this chemical compound into South Africa. Terbufos, classified as an organophosphate, is commonly used as an insecticide and pesticide in the farming community. The ban will be accompanied by a suite of enforcement measures, while broader consultations are underway to identify safer alternatives in order to safeguard food security and support farmers.”

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 12 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission/SAHRC) invites members of the media to a briefing on its week-long provincial visit to monitor the state of human rights in the Limpopo Province. The visit, led by Advocate Sandra Makoasha, SAHRC Commissioner responsible for Pro-Human Rights Budgeting; Business and Human Rights; and Health, was jointly conducted with the Limpopo Provincial Office.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 12 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/Commission) notes with sadness the devastation caused by the recent flooding in Mthatha, Butterworth, and surrounding areas in the Eastern Cape. The floods have resulted in tragic loss of life, injuries, displacement of communities, and significant damage to infrastructure. The Commission sends its heartfelt condolences to the families that lost their loved ones and sympathises with those displaced due to the flooding.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 11June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC/Commission) Mpumalanga Provincial Office will be conducting a stakeholder engagement on children’s right to education. Despite the significant constitutional provisions, Mpumalanga  Province continues to face challenges in ensuring that every child realises their fundamental right to quality education.

Attention Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 10 June 2025

As South Africa has observed National Child Protection Week, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ Commission) is compelled to reflect with grave concern on the continued injustices faced by one of the most vulnerable members of our society, our children. As the country we are reminded that the protection, care, and empowerment of children is not an act of charity, it is a constitutional and moral obligation.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 10 June 2025

On 10 and 11 June 2025, the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court, Johannesburg will hear an application instituted by Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, the South African Informal Traders Forum, the Inner-City Federation and Abahlali BaseMjondolo (‘the Applicants’) seeking relief against Operation Dudula and certain of its office-bearers in respect of ongoing xenophobic speech and conduct, and against the Government of the Republic of South Africa, and more specifically the Ministers of Police, Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Development, Health, Basic Education, as well as the Gauteng MECs for Health and Education, for failing to discharge their duties in relation to Operation Dudula’s unlawful conduct.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 09 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission/SAHRC) will conduct a week-long provincial visit in Limpopo to monitor the state of human rights. The visit will be led by Advocate Sandra Makoasha, SAHRC Commissioner responsible for Pro-Human Rights Budgeting, Business and Human Rights, and Health.

Attention Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 05 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) joins the global community in commemorating World Environment Day (WED), 05 June 2025, reaffirming its commitment to the promotion and protection of environmental rights, which are fundamental to the broader human rights framework.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Tuesday, 03 June 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (Commission) Free State Provincial Office (FSPO) to embark on community outreach initiatives in Dewetsdorp, under the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 30 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) deeply mourns the loss of human rights activist Dr. Tshenuwani Dean Farisani. As a dedicated Lutheran pastor, Dr. Farisani passionately used his position to educate both his congregation and the wider community about the importance of human rights.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 30 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will be embarking on a series of impactful programs of information sessions in observance of Child Protection Week.