Human Rights Comisssion urges all within South Africa to take all necessary steps to minimise the spread of COVID-19

SAHRC urges all within South Africa to take all necessary steps to minimise the spread of COVID-19

Like other entities in the country, the South African Human Rights Commission (the SAHRC or the Commission) is deeply concerned by the spread of infections by the COVID-19 virus in the country and would like to contribute in every possible manner towards arresting the spread and eliminating the pandemic. We feel for and pledge support to those who have tested positive. The Commission stands in solidarity with them and their families and friends and wishes them a speedy and complete recovery.
If we are to beat the pandemic, we should stand together and support the efforts that the nation is promoting. The Commission wishes to add its voice to calls that urge every single person within South Africa to take all reasonable steps to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 Virus. These preventative steps include restrictions and limitations imposed by the Government on social gatherings, including what is commonly referred to as social distancing. While these limitations are an inconvenience, they are necessary for the survival of the nation against this pandemic. And, as difficult as these impediments are, they are meant to uphold the right to health and, ultimately, life. The Commission also reiterates the need for continued personal hygiene.

The SAHRC itself has adopted certain measures to protect members of the public who wish to lay or service their complaints with the Commission, external stakeholders, staff and Commissioners. In this regard, SAHRC staff who are able to work remotely, from home, have been encouraged to do so, whilst gatherings and meetings with external stakeholders have been postponed. Only necessary staffing levels will be maintained to ensure continued service to the public, although such service may not be at the level that is usually found in normal times. In this regard, the Commission pleads for the understanding of the public, especially as the deteriorating situation in the country means that no “walk-in” complaints will be attended to through face-to-face consultations. Contact details of persons responsible for complaints handling will be made public in all offices. Provincial Managers will also avail their contact numbers to the public. Some of these details follow at the end of this statement.

The rapid and efficient spread of the virus in the country and in the globe generally, requires urgent and stringent measures to contain that spread of the disease which negatively impacts on freedom of movement, freedom of association and the exercise of the rights education and employment, among others. At present the COVID-19 virus has infected 245 922 people globally, claiming 10 048 lives, with close to 200 confirmed infected cases in South Africa. The very fast rate at which these numbers are growing in this country, underline the need for understanding and tolerance as well as compliance with directives and regulations issued to contain and defeat the pandemic.

Until further notice, please use the following contact details below for urgent complaints and queries directed at the SAHRC:

• Northern Cape Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager: Chantelle Williams
Mobile Contact: 079 564 9908
Telephonic Contact:  (054) 332 3993
 

• Eastern Cape Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Abongile Sipondo
Mobile Contact: 067 968 8921
 

• Western Cape Provincial Office:

Acting Provincial Manager:  Bahia Sterris
Mobile Contact: 073 075 2278
 

• Limpopo Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Victor Mavhidula
Mobile Contact: 071 566 5188
 

• Free State Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Thabang Kheswa
Mobile Contact: 076 038 4507
 

• Mpumalanga Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Eric Mokonyama
Mobile Contact: 078 670 4360
 

• North West Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Osmond Mngomezulu
Mobile Contact: 060 790 1476
Telephonic Contact: (014) 592 0964
 

• Gauteng Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Buang Jones
Telephonic Contact: (011) 877 3750 (Calls Diverted to Senior Legal Officers)
 

• KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office:

Provincial Manager:  Lloyd Lotz
Mobile Contact: 071 446 2333