ICJ Secures Victory for Judicial Independence at ConCourt
In a landmark victory for judicial independence and survivors of sexual violence, the Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), represented by the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), affirming the independence of South Africa’s military courts. On 20 December 2024, the Constitutional Court handed down judgment in the case of O’Brien N.O. v Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and Others 2024 ZACC 30 upholding [...]
COSAS 4: Court Rejects Bid to Drop Crimes Against Humanity Charge
COSAS 4 Trial: Court Dismisses Objections to Crimes Against Humanity Charges, Press Statement by the Foundation for Human Rights and the Legal Resources Centre The Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) and the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) welcome the historic judgment handed down by Judge Dosio in the Johannesburg High Court on 14 April 2025, which dismissed the accused’s objection to the charges of crimes against humanity in the COSAS 4 [...]
GNU: Investing in young children is non-negotiable
Government of National Unity: Investing in young children is non-negotiable Thursday, 20 February 2025 As the Government of National Unity (GNU) returns to the drawing board on the 2025 National Budget, Real Reform for ECD is greatly encouraged by the now-withdrawn budget proposals for early childhood development (ECD). R10 billion in new funding was proposed for the ECD subsidy and R210 million was added to the ECD infrastructure grant–the single [...]
Upholding Womxn’s Right to Access Abortifacients
Upholding Womxn’s Right to Access Abortifacients: Clarifying Pharmacists’ Role in Reproductive Healthcare The South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) has issued an e-Note confirming that pharmacists may not refuse to dispense abortifacients (a drug that induces abortion) due to personal beliefs or moral reasons. This e-Note comes after 13 NGOs and legal centres addressed an open letter to the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) and the National Department of Health. The [...]
SASSA’s SRD Grant Suspension: A Procedural and Rights Concern
27 January 2025 On 21 January 2025, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) announced the suspension of SRD grant payments to all beneficiaries suspected of fraudulent activity. According to the statement released by SASSA, it was the responsibility of beneficiaries to check their status online to determine whether they were affected. However, in the same statement, SASSA revealed that their online verification service had been suspended until further notice. [...]