According to a report released by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Wednesday, the department of water and sanitation failed to address racial and sexism disparities when it came to its leasing processes at the Hartbeespoort Dam located in the North West. A report by the SA Human Rights Commission on Wednesday stated that as a result of this, black and women applicants were still subject to indirect discrimination which was in violation with the Constitution. The investigation was prompted by complaints made by community members and businesses who claimed the department had unfairly allocated state-owned property along the shoreline to black applicants for many years. The Madibeng municipality was also criticized for its lack of enforcement in terms of planning, environmental and building by-laws. This had led to tensions between black and white residents.“Madibeng [municipality] failed to adopt and enforce by-laws regulating noise, planning and building controls, and failed to process planning and licensing applications timeously, violating residents’ rights to fair administrative action. “These institutional failures have worsened racial tensions between black and white residents and business owners in Hartbeespoort,” commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi said. These institutional failures have worsened racial tensions between black and white residents and business owners in Hartbeespoort— Tshepo Madlingozi, commissionerThe commission recommended that the department finalise and adopt the revised lease policy and amend related regulations within 180 days and submit these to the commission.It further advised that the department develop a comprehensive transformation plan — including numerical transformation targets, measures to address historical exclusion, timelines for processing outstanding leases, and a transparent communication plan — also within 180 days.The department should also review all…
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2025-11-26 11:58:22
