City vindicated by the South African Human Rights Commission
The City of Cape Town has been vindicated by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) regarding how we provide sanitation services to informal settlements.
Yesterday, the Chairperson of the National SAHRC, Adv. Mabedle Lawrence Mushwana, upheld the City's appeal against the findings of the Western Cape Provincial HRC last year.
In that now discredited finding, the Provincial HRC made a number of allegations and baseless statements regarding the City of Cape Town's provision of sanitation services.
Furthermore, it had conducted its investigation into the complaint, which was originally laid by the Social Justice Coalition (SJC), in a manner that was procedurally improper.
The City disputed the findings immediately, in light of the fact that as a metro authority, we have a nation-leading record of sanitation provision for all areas of the city, including informal settlements. This is part of our commitment to ensuring a positive realisation of the rights of all residents.
Further, while we respect the role of Chapter Nine Institutions, we must be allowed to participate in their work in a manner that is free from prejudice.
Adv. Mushwana's findings demonstrate that the City was treated unfairly and that the findings had no merit. Furthermore, it is concerning that the original findings were issued by the Deputy Chairperson of the HRC, Pregs Govender, who should be aware of the proper practices and procedures of the institution as well as the provisions and requirements of the law.
We have a mission to create a caring and inclusive city and one that tries to redress the wrongs of the past with positive reconciliation by cross-subsidising services to the poor - more than anywhere else in the country.
We hope that this appeal will put to rest malicious attempts to unfairly compromise our service delivery efforts and that all parties instead try and work with the City to put the people of this city first.
Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town, March 5 2015
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