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Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission is appalled by comments on social media apparently made by Black First Land First (BLF) Secretary and Spokesperson, Mr Lindsay Maasdorp and others in the wake of the Hoërskool Driehoek tragedy. The comments are insensitive, offensive, and inappropriate and do not align with the ideals and aspirations of our constitutional democracy. Kindness, compassion, and respect are basic human values which we should be extending to each other in a time of loss. Death does not discriminate. Grief cuts across race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nation, and culture. Dignity is a constitutional value to which we are all enjoined by our Constitution to respect.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”) intends to initiate legal proceedings against Mr Angelo Agrizzi in the Equality Court. This follows his testimony at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry in which he admitted to using racial slurs.
In the audio clip played at the Inquiry, Mr Agrizzi is heard using the K-word numerous times while laughing with those he was in conversation with.
Attention Editors and Reporters
In October 2017 the South African Human Rights Commission (“The Commission”) initiated a four day investigative hearing into the service delivery protests in Eldorado Park and the disruption of teaching and learning at Klipspruit West Secondary School. The purpose of the hearing was to investigate issues relating to disruption of teaching and learning, allegations of racism, marginalisation, inequality, and excessive use of force during service delivery protests.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
On 19 December 2018 the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) expressed its concern over the then looming litigation between the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr. Herman Mashaba and the Gauteng Provincial MEC for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Dikgang Moiloa. The media had reported that Cllr Mashaba intended to approach the courts alleging a deduction from and therefore reduction in the funding of the City of Johannesburg’s Human Settlement Development Grant (HSDG) to an amount of R68 million by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements. The Chairperson of the Commission immediately addressed correspondences to both the Executive Mayor, Cllr. Mashaba and the MEC, Mr Moiloa drawing their attention to Chapter 3 of the Constitution and urging them to do their utmost to speedily resolve the impasse and avoid litigation as best as possible.
Attention: Editors
On the 25 January 2019, the South African Human Rights Commission was informed that a learner with disabilities had died at Christiana School for the Blind in North West.
This is not the first time the Commission learns of the death of learners in special schools in the North West. In 2010, the Commission learned of the death of four learners at the Christiana School for the Blind. In August 2015, three female learners aged 16, 17 and 18 died in the fire that broke out at the North West School for the Deaf.
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.
Media Statement: SAHRC Investigating Allegations of Racial Segregation at Laerskool Schweizer-Reneke
Friday, 11 January 2019
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission), visited Laerskool Schweizer-Reneke, on Thursday the 10th of January 2019, following outrage over widespread allegations of racial segregation at the School.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission has noted the open letter to the President of the Republic of South Africa written by the Afrikanerbond and published in the media on 13 December 2018.
Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Attention: Editors and Reporters
The South African Human Rights Commission has learnt, with serious concern, about the looming litigation between the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba and the Gauteng Provincial MEC for Human Settlements, Uhuru Moiloa. South Africa has done a lot to meet its constitutional obligation with regard to housing. Statistics referred to recently indicate that, since independence, the government has built around 4 million housing units towards meeting its constitutional Section 26 obligations. However, the country is still reeling under the challenge of lack of housing, especially for the poorest members of society. The challenge is even worse in big metropolitan cities like, Johannesburg and Cape Town, because of the incessant influx of new people to these areas. This makes it even more critical for provincial and local governments in these provinces to work harder and work co-operatively towards meeting the challenge.
Attention: Editors
Having received numerous complaints relating to comments made by Mr Andile Mngxitama at a rally on 8 December 2018 in Potchefstroom, North West Province, the South African Human Rights Commission has resolved to institute litigation on the matter at the Equality Court.
12 December 2018
Attention: Editors
The South African Human Rights Commission has received a number of complaints relating to the utterances that were allegedly made by Mr Andile Mngxitama at the Rally on 8 December 2018 in Potchefstroom, North West Province.
Attention Editors and Reporters
10 December 2018
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission or SAHRC), marked the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Human Rights day and the 22nd Anniversary of the South African Constitution on the 10th December 2018 by releasing its premiere report, the Trends Analysis Report for the financial year 2016/2017, at its head office in Braamfontein.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
11 December 2018
On 11-12 December 2018, the South African Human Rights Commission (“the Commission”), Western Cape Provincial Office in partnership with CESVI, will be hosting information sessions to amplify basic human rights awareness enshrined in “Chapter 2 of the Constitution – the Bill of Rights”. The information sessions are centered under the theme “Know Your Rights and Responsibilities”.
Attention Editors and Reporters
9th December 2018
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission or SAHRC) will be releasing its annual report on trends in human rights violations in South Africa, the Trends Analysis Report for the financial year 2016/2017 on the 10thDecember 2018, at its head office at Braampark, Forum Three, 33 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein.
Attention Editors and Reporters
4 December 2018
The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission or SAHRC) condemns the acts of looting and vandalism that occurred at a Vodacom store at the Mall of the North in Polokwane, on Sunday the 2nd December 2018. The store was stormed and damage was caused by a group of people, allegedly wearing Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) regalia.
ATTENTION: EDITORS, PRODUCERS, EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL REPORTERS
DATE: 04 December 2018
In his role as the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of South Africa (UNISA), Professor Mandla Makhanya requested the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in December 2017 to conduct an investigation into allegations and counter-allegations of racism, harassment, bullying and victimisation at UNISA and advise the university on appropriate interventions to address these challenges.
Attention Editors and Reporters
4 December 2018
In November 2018, the SAHRC (the Commission) became aware, through various social media platforms, of a tweet posted by the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Herman Mashaba in which he stated the following “we are not going to sit back and allow people like you to bring us Ebolas in the name of small business. Health of our people first. Our health facilities are already stretched to the limit”.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
04 December 2018
On 05th December 2018 the South African Human Rights Commission will host roundtable discussions to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Attention: Editors and Reporters
Monday, 3 December 2018
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of PwD in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme for 2018 is “Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality”. This theme is inspired by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which pledges to “leave no one behind”.
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)