A coalition of civil society organizations, community advocates, and humanitarian groups has intensified demands for the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to be dissolved, citing perceived failures in addressing citizen concerns amid heightened tensions surrounding undocumented migration.
The call emerged during an urgent virtual Imbizo that drew more than 400 participants, including members of the public, civil society representatives, community leaders, and humanitarian actors. While the session was convened to address recent protests targeting undocumented foreign nationals, many attendees redirected focus toward questioning the constitutional body’s effectiveness and mandate.
“We ask: where is this organization standing for us?” declared one community spokesperson during emotional submissions. “When we are being maltreated, criminalized, raped, kidnapped, or subjected to prostitution—the South African Human Rights Commission needs to be dismantled. This organization is useless to the core. Had you not been sleeping on the job protecting South Africa and South Africans at large, we wouldn’t be here.”
Representatives from Operation Dudula and the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) were among those who submitted concerns. They argued that state resources are disproportionately allocated to undocumented foreign nationals, creating pressure on essential services like healthcare. One participant raised a legal question regarding community verification efforts: “If Operation Dudula goes to the hospital and asks for identification from foreign nationals, illegal immigrants, what specific offense are we committing?”
Additional testimony highlighted child protection concerns, with allegations that criminal networks involving non-citizens exploit vulnerable minors for drug trafficking. “We have allocated safe houses—hidden locations without external signage—where children who are victims of drug dealers are placed after being removed from police stations,” explained a community leader, urging stronger institutional safeguards.
Critiques also targeted the engagement format itself. Several attendees noted that hosting the Imbizo virtually limited participation to those with reliable internet access, thereby excluding marginalized voices most affected by daily challenges. “It doesn’t represent the minority, the marginalized community that are affected daily,” one speaker observed.
A spokesperson for the South African Human Rights Commission responded to the feedback, acknowledging limitations in the body’s reach. “We indeed might not be everywhere as a commission. We accept the criticism—that is very positive,” the spokesperson stated. They further affirmed the commission’s openness to partnership: “We have provisional offices and are more than willing to work with any organization, including SANCO.”
In a parallel development, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement emphasizing social cohesion. Released on Africa Day—a commemoration of continental unity, liberation from colonialism and apartheid, and collective action on socioeconomic challenges—the statement underscored shared regional values. “It is therefore fitting to recall the significance of these interconnected documents which have deep roots in this country’s own struggle for equality, dignity and justice,” a UN representative stated.
Organizations representing foreign nationals across the continent did not present submissions during the session. The Imbizo concluded with persistent appeals for the SAHRC to actively fulfill its constitutional mandate and help address the current crisis, even as pressure mounts from civil society stakeholders for structural reform or dissolution of the commission.
