The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has wrapped up its week-long provincial visit to Limpopo, assessing the state of human rights in the region. Commissioner Advocate Sandra Makoasha revealed key findings, rating the province’s human rights observance at a concerning four out of 10, citing systemic failures in healthcare, water access, and equality courts.
Healthcare System in Crisis
A major focus of the visit was the deteriorating state of healthcare in Limpopo. Makoasha highlighted severe challenges, including:
-
69% staff vacancy rates in psychiatric hospitals.
-
Collapsing infrastructure and poor record-keeping, leading to patients—including the elderly—waiting in queues since 7:00 AM just to access files.
-
Mental health stigma, leaving beds occupied by patients who could be discharged but face rejection from their families.
The SAHRC engaged with the provincial Health MEC, who committed to addressing administrative failures. However, Makoasha noted that similar promises in past reports have seen limited progress.
Follow-Up on Previous Recommendations
The visit included follow-ups on unresolved issues from prior investigations, such as:
-
Water and sanitation failures, with some municipalities facing legal action for ignoring SAHRC directives.
-
Non-functional maternity wards, though the MEC claimed one facility is now operational.
-
Chronic infrastructure neglect, particularly at Tshilidzini Hospital, which the SAHRC has declared a “hospital of interest” due to repeated complaints.
Equality Courts Underutilized
The commission also found that equality courts—designed to combat hate speech and discrimination—are barely used due to:
-
Lack of public awareness.
-
Untrained magistrates and clerks.
-
Poor signage and accessibility.
The SAHRC plans to collaborate with magistrates to improve training and outreach.
A Call for Accountability
Makoasha emphasized the need for government intervention, noting that communities often resort to building their own bridges and solutions when services fail. She expressed hope that engagement with the provincial legislature would lead to better enforcement of human rights.
“We aim for a six out of 10 in our next assessment,” Makoasha said, pledging greater visibility from the SAHRC in monitoring progress.
For now, Limpopo’s residents continue grappling with systemic neglect—while the commission watches to see if promises turn into action.