The SAHRC promotes respect for human rights and protects human rights. It must educate people about human rights and it can investigate complaints about human rights abuses. If necessary it can arrange for someone to have a lawyer to defend their rights, and it can take cases to court.

The SAHRC is an independent body and is only accountable to the Constitution and parliament. The SAHRC must send a report of its activities to parliament at least once a year. The SAHRC consists of a chairperson and 10 members. The members are nominated and approved by the national assembly and the national council of provinces. Members of the SAHRC can be commissioners for 7 years.

MAKING A COMPLAINT TO THE SAHRC

Anyone can make a complaint to the SAHRC. If you are unsure if you can lodge a complaint, you can visit any of the nine Provincial Offices of the SAHRC or contact them using the following contact details:

• Telephone: 011 877 3600
• Email:  complaints@sahrc.org.za 

If you want to make a complaint you must do the following:

• Lodge the complaint at the Provincial Office where the alleged violation took place. If it is not possible to establish where the violation took place, then it should be lodged at the Provincial Office where the respondent resides, carries on business or is employed.
• In the complaint include the following information:
  • Indicate whether the complaint is being lodged on your own behalf of on behalf of another person, group or class of people, organisation, government department, etc.
  • Full names of the complainant
  • Race and gender of the complainant
  • Physical and postal address of the complainant
  • Telephone or Fax numbers and email address of the complainant 
  • Preferred method of communication
  • Full details of the violation which includes:
    • Date and place where it took place
    • Type of human right alleged to be violated
    • Particulars of any person, group, or class of people, organisation, government department responsible for the violation
    • Names and contact details of the people who can provide information relevant to the complaint
    • Name and contact details of anyone who has been involved in trying to resolve the complaint
    • Whether the complaint is urgent and reasons for this
    • Any other relevant information or supporting documents that can be used in the investigation

A complaint to the Provincial Office of the SAHRC should preferably be in writing but a verbal complaint can be can be made in person or by telephone. 

The right to lodge a complaint expires three years after the violation has taken place unless there is a good reason for the delay.

(See Resources: SAHRC contact details)