The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has released its final investigative report into allegations of racial discrimination in Hartbeespoort. The complaint, lodged by the Hartbeespoort Community Development Initiative, accused the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) of systematically excluding black applicants from leasing state-owned land along the dam shoreline, while prioritising mostly white occupants.

Key findings include:

• Indirect racial and gender discrimination in DWS’s lease allocation processes.
• Administrative failures by Madibeng Local Municipality, which worsened tensions and blocked transformation.
• Unsubstantiated claims of systemic racism against SAPS, though frustrations remain about enforcement.

The Commission has directed DWS to finalise its revised lease policy, review terminated Permissions to Occupy, and conduct a full audit of land use. Madibeng must clear its backlog of planning and licensing applications, gazette outstanding by-laws, and develop a transformation plan.

The report underscores that entrenched exclusion and mistrust can only be addressed through transparency, equitable access, and stronger institutional accountability.

GUEST:  Shirley Mlombo - North West Provincial Manager – SAHRC