16 September 2020
Attention: Editors and Reporters

On Wednesday, 16 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) will conduct a site inspection of the Mayibuye Primary School in Thembisa. The Commission has initiated an investigation following reports that this ‘state-of-the-art school’, which was supposed to be occupied in 2017, stands as a white elephant after the Department of Education failed to obtain an occupancy certificate because of the ‘dangerous conditions’ which the school was built on.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

11 September 2020

On Friday, 11 September 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) met with health and beauty retailer Clicks Group Limited. This meeting was convened by the Commission following a racist advertisement that appeared on Clicks’ website. This advertisement was published in contravention of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, which prohibits unfair discrimination in general, specifically prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race and gender, and furthermore explicitly prohibits the publication and dissemination of information that unfairly discriminates. The Commission had sent a letter, calling for this meeting with Clicks to understand circumstances that led to the publication of the advert and to understand accountability and sensitivity measures taken by Clicks to guard against the publication of such offensive material in the future.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
10 September 2020

It is with great shock and sadness that the South African Human Rights Commission has learnt of the passing away of Adv George Bizos. We mourn the fall of this human rights giant – the country and humanity has suffered a great loss. He stood for everything that we wish for – freedom, equality, justice, honesty, integrity, professionalism, trust, love and support for fellow South Africans irrespective of colour or creed. He was the most pleasant person to work with.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
9 September 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) has noted with concern the utterances and behaviour of members - or persons purporting to be members - of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), since Monday the 7th September 2020. Following a series of protests organised against chain retail group Clicks, in response to a racially divisive advertisement by TRESemme, publicised by Clicks, the Commission reminds the political principals of the political party that they have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful of the law and the Constitution. These senior party officials need to conduct themselves in a manner befitting of their office and befitting of the oath they have taken to uphold the Constitution.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 7 September 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has noted with concern an advert by health and beauty retail store Clicks. The advert, for hair products, seemingly suggests that African hair is amongst others “dry and damaged”. To this effect, the Commission has launched an own-initiative investigation into this matter. The Commission has further written a letter to and called for a meeting with Clicks, for the retail store to explain itself concerning the content of the advert.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
Friday, 4 September 2020

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) welcomes the release of investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono from detention. However, the Commission remains deeply concerned with reports of alleged continued human rights violations in the Republic of Zimbabwe. We note and support various calls made by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), recently, including the steps it took soon after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic related measures, to highlight the importance of respecting and fulfilling, among others, the right to life, freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment as well as the right to a fair trial.

16 August 2020
 
The South African Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation into the water and sanitation services provided to Cradock, Middelburg and Komani in the Eastern Cape after an initial investigation found that it constituted a ‘prima facie violation’ of residents’ human rights. The investigation is the latest twist in two decades of desperate efforts by residents to stop the collapse of services in the three towns.

24 August 2020  
 
The SAHRC has asked the court to interdict the City of Cape Town from demolishing structures without court oversight during the National State of Disaster.
The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) took the City of Cape Town to court last week following a series of contentious demolitions and evictions during the lockdown.

By Bulelwa Payi  Aug 22, 2020

JUDGES hearing an application for an interdict against the City following the recent eviction and demolition of homes have their “work cut out”.
Western Cape High Court Judge Yasmin Meer and Judge Rosheni Allie heard two days of arguments in the application for an urgent interdict lodged by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Bulelani Qolani and others.

22 August 2020

The applicants are asking the court to interdict the City from demolishing structures without court oversight for the duration of the national state of disaster.