ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

06 June 2018

In May 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission (“Commission”) initiated an investigation at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital following several reports alleging that there was a shortage of radiation oncologists at the hospital’s oncology ward, a breakdown of vital cancer treatment machines and delays in the provision of health care services to approximately 500 cancer patients who are awaiting radiation treatment.

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

05 June 2018

On Wednesday, 06 June 2018 the Gauteng Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with Midvaal Local Municipality (“Midvaal”). This Memorandum of Understanding seeks to ensure that Midvaal’s administrative actions, planning and decisions are guided by the Constitution and are aligned to human rights principles.  

Attention: Editors and Reporters
25 May 2018

The Eastern Cape Provincial Office will be embarking on a Child Friendly Campaign by visiting two Child and Youth Centre’s in the Province. During the campaign, the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) will be promoting its Child Friendly Complaints Handling Procedures (CFCHP). The campaign is also meant to empower children with information that shall enable them to identify human rights  violations and report such directly to the Commission.

Attention Editors and Reporters
31st May 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) condemns the violence and the destruction that took place during protest action at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, today, on the 31st May 2018. It is understood that doctors, nurses, cleaners and porters are demanding that the Gauteng Department of Health pay out performance bonuses owed to them for the 2016-17 financial year.

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

01 June 2018

On 02 May 2018 the South African Human Rights Commission (“the commission”) initiated an investigation at Steve Biko Academic Hospital following a   media report alleging that the hospital’s oncology ward was under capacitated and on the verge of collapse.There are allegedly about 934 cancer patients who are awaiting radiation treatment at the hospital and the hospital’s failure to recruit an adequate number of staff and repair the broken down machines has resulted in a backlog in terms of patients awaiting treatment. It is in light of these allegations that the Commission has commenced an own initiative investigation in order to test the veracity of the said allegations.

25 MAY 2018

ATTENTION: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will host the following interventions in commemoration of Child Protection Week (CPW):

Attention Editors and Reporters
25th May 2018

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) is deeply concerned by the The State of Local Government and Financial Management 2017 report, released on Wednesday 23 May 2018, by Auditor-General, Kimi Makwetu. In the view of the Commission, there is a direct link between billions being lost through irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure by those tasked with managing the finances of municipalities and the lack of service delivery which in turn inhibits and infringes on rights of access to socio-economic rights of many South Africans, and has ignited so many violent and destructive protests.

Attention: Editors and Reporters
24 May 2018

The Mpumalanga Provincial Office will be embarking on the Child Protection Week campaign by visiting five schools in the province. During the campaign, the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) will be promoting its Child Friendly Complaints Handling Procedures (CFCHP). The campaign is also meant to empower children with information that shall enable them to identify human rights threats or violations and report such directly to the Commission.

18 May 2018

A Cape Town church leader has been sentenced to 30 days in prison following the derogatory remarks he unleashed on the LGBTIQ community.
Reverend Oscar Bougardt has also been suspended for five years, as he was found guilty of being in contempt of court after disregarding a court order barring him from making anti-gay comments.

18 May 2018

Cape Town - The SA Human Rights Commission said the aim of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, observed on Thursday, was to co-ordinate and raise awareness of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (Sogie) rights violations.
The SAHRC said on Thursday commemorated the decision to remove homosexuality from the international classification of diseases of the World Health Organisation in 1990.