Attention: Editors and Reporters

19 March 2024

South African Human Rights Commission Releases Final Hearing Report on Stormvlei Farm Investigation

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), on 14 March 2024, released the Final Hearing Report concerning the complaints brought by Mr Dirk Biegenaar and Mr Michael Swartbooi against Stormvlei Farm in Swellendam, Western Cape.

Date: 19 March 2024

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The SAHRC Limpopo Provincial Office (LPO) will host a Human Rights Day Commemoration under the theme: “Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights” by recognising the Human Rights Activists and Defenders who managed to stand in the gap for human rights of the communities in Limpopo Province, who further managed to create  awareness of human rights that promote equality, and curb severe human rights violations that are continually witnessed daily due to abject poverty, inequalities, and discrimination faced by older persons, persons with disabilities, women, children, and the LGBTQ+ communities.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

19 March 2024

The Director General of Home Affairs, Mr Tommy Makhode, is to appear before the Commission following the institution of subpoena proceedings against him. The subpoena proceedings are in connection with a complaint relating to the delayed processing of an application for permanent residence.

Date: 19 March 2024

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Access to water is essential to everyone’s health, dignity and prosperity. In recognition of the fundamental importance of water, the Constitution entrenches the right to have access to sufficient water.

It is important for municipalities appointed as water services authorities to fulfil their crucial and direct role of providing everyone, particularly vulnerable communities, with access to water.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

11 March 2024

In commemorating Human Rights Month, Professor Tshepo Madlingozi, Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) visited the Eastern Cape. During the visit Commissioner Madlingozi and the Eastern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO) conducted a series of impactful activities within the province pertaining to education and equality matters.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

11 March 2024

The South African Human Rights Commission Gauteng Provincial Office (Commission) confirms that it has received several complaints relating to unplaced learners in Gauteng. Unplaced learners are learners who should be accessing schools including LSEN schools and centres but have not been allocated a school to date.

11 March 2024

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission's (SAHRC) Eastern Cape Provincial Office (ECPO) is embarking on a crucial mission: monitoring children’s rights, police stations and the school uniform report recommendations at schools in Joe Gqabi District Municipality. Section 184 (1) (c) of the Constitution empowers the SAHRC to monitor and assess the observance of human rights throughout the country. This includes inspecting areas of potential violation and seeking redress where necessary.

11 March 2024

In the month of March 2024, the North West Provincial Office of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will conduct human rights advocacy interventions aimed at building up for the human rights day commemoration and to promote respect for human rights and culture of human rights.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

11 March 2024

On the 11^th of March 2024, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) Limpopo Provincial Office is set to meet with Mr Ben Vorster and Dr Anneri Vorster, parents of a minor who was allegedly seen on social media uttering a racial slur towards Sonwabile, on an online platform. The meeting is part of the ongoing investigation into the complaints that were received from several individuals regarding the utterance which sparked racial tensions across social media platforms in South Africa.

9 MARCH 2024

On the 29^th of February 2024, the Child Rights Unit (CRU) of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) together with the SAHRC Mpumalanga Provincial Office participated in a community stakeholder engagement in Steenbok, Nkomazi to raise awareness on human rights violations associated with Ukuthwala/Funelani Nganeno practice.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 07 March 2024

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) will commemorate International Women’s Day with the theme of Three decades into democracy: A reflection into the promotion and protection of Women’s Rights in South Africa.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission Gauteng Provincial Office in partnership with the Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) is hosting a roundtable dialogue on the Rights of Domestic Workers in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Act (COIDA).

Attention: Editors and Reporters

6 March 2024

The Western Cape Provincial Office (WCPO) of the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) will host its annual media briefing on 6 March 2024 from 10h00 until 12h00 at 3^rd Floor, 1 Thibault Square, 1 Long Street, Cape Town.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

5 MARCH 2024

The Commission in the North West secures redress for an elderly woman who was set to be evicted from her home by virtue of an Order from the Tribal Court of the Royal Bafokeng Nation (“Tribal Court”).

On 29 August 2022, the Tribal Court issued a judgment in a matter before it, directing that Ms Angelina Mathuloe (“Mathuloe”) vacate her home of more than 21 years “forthwith”. Ms Mathuloe unsuccessfully lodged an appeal against the judgment of the Tribal Court at the Magistrate Court of Rustenburg, Sitting as the Tribal Appeal Court.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

05 March 2024

In commemorating Human Rights Month, Professor Tshepo Madlingozi, Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), will undertake a visit to the Eastern Cape Province Office (ECPO). The ECPO will be facilitating a series of activities within the Province, with a particular focus on matters relating to education and equality, the focus areas of Professor Madlingozi.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Monday, 04 March 2024

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC / Commission) continues to monitor the ongoing water challenges in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (Metro). The Commission has since January 2024 undertaken various initiatives, such as convening meetings with affected communities; participating in war room meetings; and liaising with and issuing correspondences to various government actors across the three spheres of government.

04 March 2024

Attention: Editors and Reporters

On 29 June 2023, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) wrote to the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa to seek the intervention of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster in the persistent human rights violations reportedly experienced by AbaHlali BaseMjondolo and its members.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

28 February 2024

In October 2023, The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission), Mpumalanga Provincial Office (MPO) conducted an information gathering exercise, and found detailed, shocking, and worrying pregnancy statistics which were shared by both the departments of Health and Education where children as young as 11 years of age were reported to be pregnant and some tested HIV/Aids positive.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

27 February 2024

The South African Human Rights Commission’s (“the Commission”) office in the Free State (“FSPO”) will be conducting monitoring activities in the Xhariep District Municipality.  Section 184 (1) (c) of the Constitution states that, the Commission must monitor and assess the observance of human rights in the Republic.