On January 29, 2024, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) unveiled the July Unrest Report, a comprehensive account stemming from a National Investigative Hearing that scrutinised the turmoil that erupted in July 2021.

This incident, which saw widespread protests and violence across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, prompted a thorough investigation, revealing significant human rights violations. The findings were drawn from 54 oral testimonies and over 120 written submissions gathered between November 15, 2021, and June 21, 2022.

The July Unrest Report emerged as a pivotal document, laying out 33 findings and making 28 actionable recommendations for various state bodies. As South Africa marks four years since the unrest, the need for reflection on the implementation of these recommendations has never been more critical. To this end, the Current Status Report titled “Current Status: Implementation of the Recommendations contained in July’s People: The National Investigative Hearing into the July 2021 Unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal” has been compiled, detailing progress and highlighting areas requiring further attention.

This report serves three primary purposes: to present the current status of the recommendations, to keep the public informed of relevant developments, and to identify any additional actions that are necessary for the furtherance of implementation. The ongoing monitoring of the report’s recommendations began in early January 2024, with the Commission reaching out to stakeholders requiring updates on their compliance.

By 31 January 2024, the SAHRC had written to all stakeholders involved in the hearing, prompting them to report on the implementation of the recommendations. According to Section 18(4) of the SAHRC Act, responses from 11 institutions were expected by 1 April 2024. However, initial results revealed a concerning compliance rate of just 18%, with only the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) having provided substantial responses.

Encouragingly, by 10 July 2025, the compliance rate had surged to an impressive 91%, with ten out of the 11 institutions reporting back. Regular follow-ups via telephonic and written correspondence played a crucial role in facilitating this increase, though a small 9% of stakeholders still failed to respond.

As of the latest updates, 12 of the 28 actionable recommendations have been fully implemented, while several other institutions, including the Presidency, SAPS, and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), have demonstrated significant progress. The SANDF and the State Security Agency (SSA) have impressively managed to fully implement all the recommendations directed towards them. Notably, the Presidency and SAPS have implemented 66% and 58% of their respective recommendations, reflecting a general commitment to addressing the findings of the July Unrest Report.

Despite these successes, challenges remain. Nine recommendations are still only partially complied with, indicating that progress is ongoing but not yet complete. Conversely, three recommendations have been rejected as unfeasible, highlighting a need for continued dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders. Additionally, four recommendations remain unaddressed, demonstrating that some areas still necessitate attention.

In addressing the July Unrest Report, the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) has contested several findings, arguing they stemmed from insufficient consultation. Nonetheless, PSiRA remains committed to welcoming key recommendations such as the development of a human rights compliance framework and revisions to training curricula to better equip its 600,000 members.

As South Africa moves forward, the lessons learned from the July Unrest Report and its subsequent recommendations could serve as vital tools for safeguarding human rights and maintaining stability in the nation. The ongoing implementation process will be essential in preventing a recurrence of events seen in July 2021, ensuring that governmental and societal structures remain robust and responsive to the needs of all citizens.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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