Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel, has welcomed the four reports tabled by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on more than 2,300 complaints received from South African citizens.

On Tuesday, the commission revealed that it was in the process of releasing four new reports highlighting key human rights issues nationwide, centred on education infrastructure and health, backed by research, monitoring, and data from state bodies.

It said the newly released data indicate that issues related to the government’s provision of food, water, and healthcare are the most frequently reported human rights violations in the country, with the Commission saying racism was the most common equality complaint received in the 2024/25 financial year. 

SAHRC’s Dr Martin Nsibirwa said the highest number of complaints were due to socio-economic rights.

“The highest number of complaints was in the area of socio-economic rights, the areas related to healthcare, food, water, and social security. The second one was merely an administrative function. We also had equality, education, and labour relations. In terms of equality complaints, we had the highest complaints of race-related matters. Disability was the second in line in those complaints,” he stated.

The commission’s briefing comes just as Gauteng Provincial Chairperson and Premier Panyaza Lesufi indicated that he was not willing to back down from his promise to evict illegal immigrants from the province’s densely populated informal settlements.

On Monday, despite serious concerns from the SAHRC and other concerned groups, Lesufi insisted that he will continue with night-time evictions.

Addressing members of the media from a Netcare facility visit after some crime prevention wardens were hospitalised following an attack by a group of 12 suspects, Lesufi said the commission has nothing to worry about.

“I don’t understand because our approach has been very simple – we will do everything within the law. We have never propagated that we will do anything outside the law, and we still maintain that. I do not want to be in a tussle with the SAHRC. They play a very important role, and I support the role they play.”

The commission, through its chairperson, Chris Nissen, has condemned municipalities and private security companies for conducting evictions without court orders.

Nissen stated that such actions are a constitutional violation and that municipalities must change and improve their approach to addressing citizens’ violated rights.

“We are as this commission, we are subpoenaing mayors and municipal managers to come and explain. In the Western Cape and in Cape Town, unfortunately, I have met with the mayors to talk about sewage that is running into our streets. We have not mentioned the potholes. The potholes in this country have become a significant issue.

“The government at that level has commissioned signage that says signage ahead. Why do they not fix the potholes? We are also dealing with the issue of water and sanitation and the mafia in eThekwini. We need to acknowledge that our municipalities need to do more,” he said.

Reacting to the four reports, Nel said: “The launch of these four reports once again affirms the essential role of the South African Human Rights Commission in safeguarding the constitutional promise of dignity, equality, and freedom for all. Through its protection mandate, the commission intervenes in human rights violations, ensuring accountability.”

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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