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.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 29 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (“SAHRC”/”Commission”) welcomes the announcement, made by President Cyril Ramaphosa today, on the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 29 May 2025

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) maintains that the sphere of local government is crucial in the attainment of the transformative vision of the Constitution. However, the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) 2023-24 report on local government released by the Auditor-General on 28 May 2025 shows that the local sphere of government is in a dire state.

Attention Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 29 May 2025

As we mark Hunger Day 2025, South Africa faces an urgent and ongoing hunger challenge.  Millions still experience hunger and food insecurity despite constitutional guarantees and international commitments. The right to adequate food is enshrined in Section 27 of our Constitution and supported by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which South Africa ratified in 2015. This ratification commits our country to take progressive steps to realise the right to food for all citizens.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Today,28 May 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission’s (the Commission) Gauteng Provincial Office will make oral submissions before the Usindiso Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating the prevalence of the proliferation of unsafe buildings, commonly referred as ‘bad buildings’, in region F of the City of Johannesburg. Usindiso Commission was established after the tragic fire at Usindiso building in 2023, which led to the untimely death of over 70 people.