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2 September 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) welcomes the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to grant the Commission leave to intervene as a third party in the matter of Semenya v Switzerland (application no. 10934/21). This is the first time that the Commission is involved in human rights litigation in an international forum, and also the first known occasion that the ECtHR has granted leave to intervene to an African human rights institution.
2 September 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) is hosting an urgent media briefing today, the 2nd September 2021 at 12:00 PM at its Western Cape Provincial Office, in Cape Town, 7th Floor ABSA building, 132 Adderley Street. The briefing will also be live streamed, the link follows below and can be viewed on our website and social media pages. All members of the media are invited to join the briefing.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission or the SAHRC) is hosting an urgent media briefing today, the 2nd September 2021 at 12:00 PM at its Western Cape Provincial Office, in Cape Town, 7th Floor ABSA building, 132 Adderley Street. The briefing will also be live streamed, the link follows below and can be viewed on our website and social media pages. All members of the media are invited to join the briefing.
1 September 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission, Gauteng Provincial Office will conduct a fact-finding visit as part of its monitoring mandate at Temba Water Purification Plant and Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works, after it was reported recently that the quality of water produced at the plant has severely deteriorated leaving the City of Tshwane with no choice but to temporarily shut down the plant.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission, Gauteng Provincial Office will conduct a fact-finding visit as part of its monitoring mandate at Temba Water Purification Plant and Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works, after it was reported recently that the quality of water produced at the plant has severely deteriorated leaving the City of Tshwane with no choice but to temporarily shut down the plant.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
30 August 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) working in collaboration with the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) will be hosting a dialogue on homelessness. This dialogue is aimed towards a human rights-based approach when dealing with homeless people living on the streets and the need to combine efforts between all stakeholders to assist with inculcating a culture of human rights.
27 August 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission, Gauteng Provincial Office will be hosting a Stakeholder Engagement on the Vaal River System Intervention Implementation Plan.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission, Gauteng Provincial Office will be hosting a Stakeholder Engagement on the Vaal River System Intervention Implementation Plan.
24 August 2021
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), is aware of messages which circulated via social media calling for a #NationalShutdown, intended for Monday the 23rd August 2021.
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), is aware of messages which circulated via social media calling for a #NationalShutdown, intended for Monday the 23rd August 2021.
18 August 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission, Western Cape Provincial Office will be hosting a Stakeholder Engagement on Access to Health with focus on Arthritis. This stakeholder engagement is aimed at influencing and changing policy on access to health care for persons living with or suffering from this chronic illness.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission, Western Cape Provincial Office will be hosting a Stakeholder Engagement on Access to Health with focus on Arthritis. This stakeholder engagement is aimed at influencing and changing policy on access to health care for persons living with or suffering from this chronic illness.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
16 August 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) working in collaboration with the Kuyasa Community Horizon will be hosting a capacity building workshop to amplify basic human rights awareness with specific focus on Equality aimed at popularizing the Equality Legislation and the Toolkit that was developed by the Commission.
16 August 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) working in collaboration with the Kuyasa Community Horizon will be hosting a capacity building workshop to amplify basic human rights awareness with specific focus on Equality aimed at popularizing the Equality Legislation and the Toolkit that was developed by the Commission.
13 August 2021
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), is disappointed to see a xenophobic video, circulating on social media, of a person stating that non-nationals (“foreigners”) will not be allowed to open and / or run their “spaza” shop businesses in Soweto.
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), is disappointed to see a xenophobic video, circulating on social media, of a person stating that non-nationals (“foreigners”) will not be allowed to open and / or run their “spaza” shop businesses in Soweto.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 9 August 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission) joins the rest of South African society in remembering and honouring women’s struggles on this 65th anniversary of the Women’s March to the Union Buildings in 1956. We pay tribute to the collective spirit of the heroines of the women’s movement who, in their diversity, united in solidarity and were prepared to pay the ultimate price in the quest for substantive gender equality. This year’s National Women’s Day is of special significance as it is the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of struggle stalwart and human rights pioneer, Charlotte Maxeke. It is also the 25th anniversary of the country’s Constitution, whose very recognition of women’s rights as human rights is a manifestation of the gains of women’s historical claims and demands for equality.
Monday, 9 August 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or Commission) joins the rest of South African society in remembering and honouring women’s struggles on this 65th anniversary of the Women’s March to the Union Buildings in 1956. We pay tribute to the collective spirit of the heroines of the women’s movement who, in their diversity, united in solidarity and were prepared to pay the ultimate price in the quest for substantive gender equality. This year’s National Women’s Day is of special significance as it is the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of struggle stalwart and human rights pioneer, Charlotte Maxeke. It is also the 25th anniversary of the country’s Constitution, whose very recognition of women’s rights as human rights is a manifestation of the gains of women’s historical claims and demands for equality.
6 August 2021
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), has resolved to probe the unrest which occurred in KZN and Gauteng during July 2021, following its unequivocal condemnation of the violence and unlawful conduct which ensued during the unrest. The SAHRC reiterates State responsibility in terms of Section 7 of the Constitution to “respect, promote and fulfil” all the rights in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution. These rights include – but are not limited to - equality, human dignity, freedom and security of the person, freedom of movement and residence, freedom of trade, occupation and profession, and various socio-economic rights such as housing, health care, food, water, and education.
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), has resolved to probe the unrest which occurred in KZN and Gauteng during July 2021, following its unequivocal condemnation of the violence and unlawful conduct which ensued during the unrest. The SAHRC reiterates State responsibility in terms of Section 7 of the Constitution to “respect, promote and fulfil” all the rights in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution. These rights include – but are not limited to - equality, human dignity, freedom and security of the person, freedom of movement and residence, freedom of trade, occupation and profession, and various socio-economic rights such as housing, health care, food, water, and education.
3 August 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) welcomes the Constitutional Court’s judgment in the matter of Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and Another [2021] ZACC 22, which was handed down by the apex court on Friday, 30 July 2021. The seminal judgment, which brings an end to protracted proceedings that commenced thirteen years ago, brings much-anticipated legal certainty in the sphere of hate speech.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) welcomes the Constitutional Court’s judgment in the matter of Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and Another [2021] ZACC 22, which was handed down by the apex court on Friday, 30 July 2021. The seminal judgment, which brings an end to protracted proceedings that commenced thirteen years ago, brings much-anticipated legal certainty in the sphere of hate speech.
29 July 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Bondev Property Management Company (Bondev) met today and concluded a round of fruitful talks over a circular issued concerning the COVID-19 vaccination programme at Midstream Estate Barracks (estate) in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Bondev Property Management Company (Bondev) met today and concluded a round of fruitful talks over a circular issued concerning the COVID-19 vaccination programme at Midstream Estate Barracks (estate) in the City of Ekurhuleni.
27 July 2021
The issue of riots, crime, and violence in South Africa is a growing concern as it presents a significant obstacle to human rights and respect for the rule of law in the country. Where there is unrest and violence in the country it goes without saying that human rights violations are present, if not rife. The recent looting and destruction were unparalleled and must be condemned in the strongest terms. They, however, demonstrate that crime and violence remain a disease in our society that must be cured in order for the country to pursue the visions of a country united in diversity.
The issue of riots, crime, and violence in South Africa is a growing concern as it presents a significant obstacle to human rights and respect for the rule of law in the country. Where there is unrest and violence in the country it goes without saying that human rights violations are present, if not rife. The recent looting and destruction were unparalleled and must be condemned in the strongest terms. They, however, demonstrate that crime and violence remain a disease in our society that must be cured in order for the country to pursue the visions of a country united in diversity.
27 July 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters
In July 2020 the SAHRC received a complaint from a member of the public relating to the social media account known as “Tracy Zille”. It appeared from the account that a white woman was making disparaging, racist and harassing comments towards black women in particular.
From a closer inspection, and after an expose in the media, it was reported that the Tracy Zille account was in fact run by one Mr Anthony Mathumba, a local councillor from the Makhado Local Municipality. It was further reported that Mr Mathumba was generating an income from making these disparaging and inflammatory comments online through companies he owned and registered to which social media users were directed.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
In July 2020 the SAHRC received a complaint from a member of the public relating to the social media account known as “Tracy Zille”. It appeared from the account that a white woman was making disparaging, racist and harassing comments towards black women in particular.
From a closer inspection, and after an expose in the media, it was reported that the Tracy Zille account was in fact run by one Mr Anthony Mathumba, a local councillor from the Makhado Local Municipality. It was further reported that Mr Mathumba was generating an income from making these disparaging and inflammatory comments online through companies he owned and registered to which social media users were directed.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
27 JULY 2021
Over the years, the Commission has received and investigated service delivery complaints against various local municipalities in Mpumalanga. The issues raised in the various complaints included the failure by municipalities to provide water and housing, sewage spillages, sewage treatment challenges, electricity outages, non-collection of refuse and potholes on the roads.
27 JULY 2021
Over the years, the Commission has received and investigated service delivery complaints against various local municipalities in Mpumalanga. The issues raised in the various complaints included the failure by municipalities to provide water and housing, sewage spillages, sewage treatment challenges, electricity outages, non-collection of refuse and potholes on the roads.
27 July 2021
ATT: Editors and Reporters
Following complaints of racism raised during peaceful protests on Monday, 31 May 2021, the SAHRC initiated an investigation into the environment and pupil’s experiences at Cornwall Hill College.
ATT: Editors and Reporters
Following complaints of racism raised during peaceful protests on Monday, 31 May 2021, the SAHRC initiated an investigation into the environment and pupil’s experiences at Cornwall Hill College.
Attention Editors and Reporters
22 July 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) has noted, with shock and sadness, reports on the on-going taxi violence that is taking place in the Western Cape, particularly in the Cape Town Metropolitan area. The Commission is concerned and appeals for tolerance in the midst of the escalating violence between the two Taxi Associations (CODETA and CATA) which also directly impacts on the safety, livelihood and lives of communities, commuters and the general public. Such conduct is extremely concerning, particularly given that it is impacting communities that already face great hardship amidst the current restrictions related to the COVID 19 pandemic, and resultant economic downturn. The Commission therefore strongly urges all parties to continue with engagements aimed at finding common ground and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
22 July 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) has noted, with shock and sadness, reports on the on-going taxi violence that is taking place in the Western Cape, particularly in the Cape Town Metropolitan area. The Commission is concerned and appeals for tolerance in the midst of the escalating violence between the two Taxi Associations (CODETA and CATA) which also directly impacts on the safety, livelihood and lives of communities, commuters and the general public. Such conduct is extremely concerning, particularly given that it is impacting communities that already face great hardship amidst the current restrictions related to the COVID 19 pandemic, and resultant economic downturn. The Commission therefore strongly urges all parties to continue with engagements aimed at finding common ground and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
20 July 2021
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), following the widespread violence and looting in parts of South Africa last week, will be hosting a dialogue on Friday, 23rd July 2021, to be followed by a series of stakeholder engagements.
ATT: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission), following the widespread violence and looting in parts of South Africa last week, will be hosting a dialogue on Friday, 23rd July 2021, to be followed by a series of stakeholder engagements.
Attention Editors and Reporters
20 July 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has noted, with shock and sadness, reports that the recent riots in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng has resulted in the looting and burning of over 30 schools. This includes schools in Amajuba, Ugu and Pinetown districts, together with education district offices in the two provinces. With schools set to reopen next week, on 26 July 2021, the Commission is concerned that the aftermath of the civil unrest, along with the effects of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, will lead to further learning losses and school drop outs.
20 July 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has noted, with shock and sadness, reports that the recent riots in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng has resulted in the looting and burning of over 30 schools. This includes schools in Amajuba, Ugu and Pinetown districts, together with education district offices in the two provinces. With schools set to reopen next week, on 26 July 2021, the Commission is concerned that the aftermath of the civil unrest, along with the effects of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, will lead to further learning losses and school drop outs.
About us
Understanding PAIA
The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
Sentinel House, Sunnyside Office Park, 32 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
011 877 3600 (Switchboard)