Attention: Editors and Reporters
25 January 2019

In the last few years, the South African Human Rights Commission in Mpumalanga has received a number of complaints relating to sewerage spillages and waste water treatment challenges in various municipalities in Mpumalanga. The complaints alleged that the sewerage spillages and/or the inadequate treatment of waste water violated the affected communities’ right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being (section 24 of the Constitution), as well as the affected communities’ right to clean water (section 27 of the Constitution) and their right to dignity (section 10 of the Constitution).

23 January 2019

The Mpumalanga Provincial Office will embark on roadshows to educate and strengthen Early Childhood Development Centers on human rights. As the emotional, social and physical being of children have a direct impact on their overall development, the roadshows will be targeting Grades R – 3 learners.

11 December 2019

According to the Human Rights Commission, racism and infringements of socio-economic rights were the most reported human rights violations in South Africa for the 2016/2017 year.
Advocate Bongani Majola says it is worrying that complaints relating to equality still takes the top spot. He says the urban population seems to be aware of the existence of the commission and the provisions of the Constitution.

13 December 2019

Black First Land First (BLF) has been warned – refrain from hate speech or risk being deregistered from the upcoming elections.
The Citizen has reported that, in a letter sent to the BLF, dated December 12, 2018, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) warned the party against making statements that “constitute hate speech”.
The IEC told News24 that it had noted the serious allegations against the BLF leader.

13 December 2019

BLF leader Andile Mngxitama has come under fire after he reportedly urged supporters to kill five white people for every black person who dies due to taxi violence.

13 December 2019

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will approach the equality court over comments made by Black First, Land First leader Andile Mngxitama.

13 December 2019

Human Rights Commissioner Chris Nissan is expected to visit Port Elizabeth’s northern areas after a scourge of violence and killings in the area in recent months. The visit will run over Thursday and Friday.

13 December 2019

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation says it notes and supports the strong public condemnation of the violent anti-white rhetoric expressed by Black First Land First's (BLF) Andile Mngxitama.
Mngxitama was speaking at a rally at the weekend where he threatened to kill five white people in retaliation for the death of every black person.
The Foundation's Executive Director, Neeshan Balton, said Mngxitama's assertions were inciteful and amount to hate speech.

21 December 2019

'South Africans must just respect each other'- rights commissioner's wish for 2019

"We are like a see-saw. Today we are high. Tomorrow we are very low," he said in a rare break from crossing the province to investigate complaints. 
"South Africans must just respect each other," he implores.
This advice applies to everybody - from those who make derogatory remarks at a braai, to the government official who makes people wait three months and demands endless emails just to fix a water problem.

21 December 2018

DWS takes Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to court to stop pollution of rivers
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has approached the courts to ensure the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality responds positively to the requisite remedial actions to stop pollution emanating from some of the water treatment plants within the Metros jurisdiction. This inaction has a direct impact on the DWS being able to drive its obligation to provide safe and drinkable water to affected communities.