All news items
1 July 2015
On 24 June the Pretoria High Court struck from the roll an application by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) that tried to put an urgent end to Operation Fiela. Lara Wallis explains why this is deeply concerning.
As Operation Fiela has swept through the country, it has violated the rights of many people, both South Africans and foreigners. LHR’s urgent application to interdict unlawful search...
30 June 2015
The Kutlwanong Democracy Centre was launched at the end of May. The centre is located at 357 Visagie Street in Pretoria.
The national director of Lawyers for Human Rights, Jacob van Garderen told De Rebus that the centre is a unique hub for civil society in Pretoria. He said it brings together a range of organisations working in human rights, social assistance and development.
Services offered at...
25 June 2015
Stereotypes and myths have largely informed South Africans’ views on issues of migration and foreign nationals. These myths perpetuate xenophobia in South Africa and are used seemingly as a basis for policy decisions around migration.
Extensive research by institutions such as the Gauteng City-Region Observatory (GCRO) and African Centre for Migration and Society has gone a long way in...
24 June 2015
Beliefs that foreigners "steal" our jobs and drain services fuel xenophobia and inform government policy. LHR dissects three myths about SA migrants.
Laywers for Human Rights has seen an alarming number of police operations aimed at closing down migrant-owned businesses. (M&G, Paul Botes)
Stereotypes and myths have largely informed South Africans’ views on issues of migration...
13 June 2015
The Merafong municipality is to instruct Rand Water to reconnect the water supply to the embattled Blyvooruitzicht mine by no later than Monday, according to an interim settlement agreement that has been reached.
An application by Lawyers for Human Rights had sought to compel the municipality and Rand Water to reconnect the water supply to Blyvoor on the far West Rand. It was disconnected last...
12 June 2015
The liquidators of Blyvooruitzicht gold mine in Carletonville scored a major victory against Merafong Local Municipality after being allowed to investigate why their water bill stood at R197 million.
The bill dates from 2006.
The mine’s troubles began in August 2013, when it was placed under liquidation and thousands of workers were left jobless.
During the intervening years, Merafong had...
10 June 2015
A severe water crisis is leaving the small town of Blyvooruitzicht in Carletonville, west of Johannesburg, high and dry.
The local mining community has been without running water for close to a month because the mine, which is currently being liquidated, owes the municipality close to R200 million in arrears. The matter is now destined for the courts.
One of the residents, Sithembile Sithole'...
9 June 2015
Many of South Africa’s correctional facilities, and most acutely its remand detention facilities, are overcrowded, creating dehumanising and dangerous conditions.
Detainees are frequently compelled to remain in their cells for up to 23 hours a day. There are even incidences of detainees being permitted to exercise for only one hour in an entire month. Overcrowding, poorly trained employees...
5 June 2015
AFTER a spate of murderous attacks in Durban and Johannesburg on migrant workers from neighbouring countries, South Africa badly needs to improve its image on the continent. And at the level of gestures and rhetoric, it is trying to do exactly that. On a visit to Mozambique last month President Jacob Zuma apologised for the violence by a “small minority” of his compatriots which had...
5 June 2015
Many of South Africa’s correctional facilities, and most acutely its remand detention facilities, are overcrowded, creating dehumanising and dangerous conditions.
Detainees are frequently compelled to remain in their cells for up to 23 hours a day. There are even incidences of detainees being permitted to exercise for only one hour in an entire month. Overcrowding, poorly trained employees...