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Attention: Editors and Reporters
Access to clean water is crucial for everyone's health, dignity, and prosperity. The Constitution recognises the fundamental importance of water by enshrining the right to access sufficient water.
Municipalities, appointed as water services authorities, have a vital role in providing access to clean water for everyone, especially vulnerable communities.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
05 June 2024
The North West Provincial Office will conduct a subpoena hearing in respect of the Municipal Manager and Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM). The subpoena hearing relates to a long-standing complaint relating to access to basic services by the residents of Straatsdrift Farm. The Municipal Manager of NMMDM was previously subpoenaed to appear before the Commission on the same matter on 20 September 2023, during which he made certain undertakings, some of which have not been honoured.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
02 June 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) endorses the 2024 National General Elections as free and fair.
The SAHRC observed the elections on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of May 2024. During this period, the Commission observed 161 voting stations and gathered 98 reflections from Human Rights Officials and Champions, resulting in a significant national footprint across 259 voting stations.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
31 May 2024
The Children’s Rights Unit (CRU) within the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has joined South Africa in observing National Child Protection Week from 29 May to 5 June 2024. This week-long campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting children from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
28 May 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or the Commission) joins the world, continent, and nation in marking the occasion of South Africa’s seventh democratic elections. For South Africa, the right to vote has a profound historical context. Just thirty years ago, most South African citizens were denied the right to vote, and those who demanded to exercise this right were often imprisoned or even killed.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
28 May 2024
The North West Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) is hosting an event to promote the Social Harmony National Effort (SHINE). The goal of SHINE is to encourage all South Africans to think about and take small but meaningful actions to promote respect, social harmony, solidarity, and healing in their homes and communities.
28 May 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission), Eastern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO) working in partnership with the Eastern Cape Education Department will conduct workshops for schools in the Amathole East, Amathole West and Sarah Baartman Districts in preparation of the moot court competition essay rounds.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) in the Northern Cape Province will be conducting community outreaches and legal clinics in the Barkly West and Warrenton areas as it recognises the importance of maintaining strong connections with local communities to fulfil its mandate.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
23 May 2024
The SAHRC Eastern Cape provincial office will be embarking on various monitoring activities in Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi District Municipality between 22nd to 26 May 2024. Section 184 (1) (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa states that the Commission must monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic.
Date: 22 May 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Limpopo Provincial Office (LPO) together with the SAHRC’s CEO Mr. Vusumuzi Mkhize meets with various stakeholders in the Limpopo Province, the purpose of the engagement is to strengthen the relationship between SAHRC in the province and its stakeholders.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) in the Northern Cape Province will be conducting a stakeholder engagement focused on human rights and law enforcement. The engagement comes in the wake of pressing issues surrounding police brutality, inhumane treatment of inmates, and fatalities within correctional facilities. Recent incidents involving violent confrontations between law enforcement agencies and foreign nationals, as well as reported mistreatment and deaths in Kimberley correctional facilities, have highlighted the urgent need for action.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) in the Northern Cape Province has been inundated with multiple complaints concerning inadequate access to water and sanitation services within the Sol Plaatje Municipality.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
20 May 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) in the Eastern Cape conducted an inquiry in 2022 on challenges relating to severe acute malnutrition. With this context in mind, the Commission will conduct an Imbizo under the theme: "Nourishing Futures: Collaborative Strategies for Sustainable Development". The aim of the Imbizo is to convene with stakeholders to foster partnerships, share best practices, identify opportunities for joint initiatives and outline a roadmap towards minimizing hunger and to tackle hunger collectively.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
20 May 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) will be conducting community outreach in the form of a roadshow and information sessions. The engagements will be held in different areas in all the three districts of the province. These engagements are meant to promote human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
15 May 2024
Today, Wednesday 15 May 2024, the Grand Chamber at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will hear the case of Caster Semenya v Switzerland. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has been granted leave to intervene in the matter as a third-party intervener, or friend of the court.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
14 May 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission mourns the passing of former Constitutional Court Justice Yvonne Mokgoro. Her passing is a profound loss for South Africa and its judiciary.
As a member of the first Constitutional Court Bench, and its first black female judge, Justice Mokgoro has contributed to constitutional jurisprudence. Her ground-breaking judgments, and her unwavering dedication to human rights have left an indelible mark on the legal landscape of our country, South Africa. She has paved the way for future generations of jurists.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
14 May 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) welcomes the passage of the Older Persons Amendment Bill. The Older Persons Amendment Bill is a comprehensive approach to safeguarding the rights and welfare of older persons.
This bill, which the Commission has strongly endorsed, is fundamentally about providing a secure and dignified retirement for older individuals. It acknowledges the disturbing trends of neglect and abuse that this demographic can experience, both in care facilities and within their own families. By legislating stringent standards and oversight for old age homes, the bill aims to prevent the kinds of egregious crimes that have previously shocked the nation.
14 May 2024
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) will be hosting a multisectoral stakeholder meeting on the promotion of human rights with a specific focus on civil and political rights – the right to vote and the right to citizenship under the theme: “The Impact of Lack of Documentation on the Right to Vote.”
13 May 2024
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has noted with concern the collapse of a building in George, Western Cape on Monday, 06 May 2024.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (the Commission) in the Northern Cape Province will be conducting a stakeholder engagement focused on promoting accountability and addressing human rights violations.
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)