The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Mpumalanga Provincial office, commemorated Human Rights Day under the theme “Recover Better: Stand Up for Human Rights” on 25 March at Ingwenyama Lodge in Mbombela.
Annually the province commemorates Human Rights Day on 21 March to remind all South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in the country.
Corruption in the province was at the heart of this year’s Human Rights Day commemorations. Reportedly, Mpumalanga is ranked as one of the most corrupt provinces in South Africa. Corruption violates enjoyment of socio-economic and cultural rights.
Girly Salila, the Mpumalanga Advocacy and Research Officer while speaking at Ingwenyama Lodge during the commemorations said that, “Corruption is a human right violation.”
In her presentation at Ingwenyama Lodge, Girly Salila went on to indicate that, people in the province are being denied their right to access justice, health care and education due to corruption.
“Education sector is affected due to education budget being looted and as a result teachers cannot be paid and books cannot be purchased; Right to education. States cannot comply with their human rights obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the culture of human rights,” said Ms Salila
Girly Salila also pointed out that, corrupt public contracting procedures and PPE tender processes are associated in some instances of poor healthcare services in the province where hospitals and clinics are lacking supplies. She noted that this is denial of Right to healthcare.
“Widespread corruption in health or educational services deters the poor from seeking healthcare and education, and depresses living standards and opportunities for poorer people in particular,” said Girly Salila.
“Social security programmes are corrupt or distorted to support a patronage network which causes families to be poor and locals are denied the Right to social security,” Salila said.
She went to indicate the various levels corruption takes place in Mpumalanga society and communities, pointing out how widespread it is.
SAHRC Mpumalanga has also indicated that, “The of Human Rights Day commemoration aims to improve the physical, social, cultural and spiritual well being and welfare of all persons in the province.”
The human rights watch dog; SAHRC has also pointed out that, Human Rights Day in the province is also meant to build capacity and increase sensitization of different role players in protecting the rights of all persons.
Department of Justice, the Office of the Public Protector, the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison all gave messages of support. Community based organizations present included, Masiphephe Networking PSASA, Nazarene Educare, Chweni Advice Office, Mataffin Advice Centre, Chweni Youth Development Centre and Mbombela Aids Council.
