SAHRC Exposes Racial And Gender Discrimination At Hartbeespoort Dam

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has revealed widespread racial and gender discrimination in the allocation of state-owned shoreline land around Hartbeespoort Dam.

According to a report released on November 26, 2025, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) systematically excluded black applicants while allowing predominantly white businesses to occupy land without the required Permissions to Occupy (PTOs).

The investigation found that since 2012, only one black applicant received approval out of 78 applications, compared to two white approvals and one mixed-race approval from 120 applications. Black residents were often stripped of PTOs without notice, and women faced discrimination in the process. Meanwhile, 16 entities occupied state land without valid leases, mostly white- or mixed-race owned.

The SAHRC also criticised the Madibeng Local Municipality for administrative failures, including delayed processing of planning and licensing applications and inconsistent enforcement of noise and building by-laws, which intensified racial tensions.

To address these issues, the commission has directed the DWS to revise lease policies, implement a transformation plan, audit all occupiers, and review revoked PTOs.

The municipality must clear backlogs, finalise outstanding by-laws, and enforce planning regulations. The DWS acknowledged the findings and is acting on some directives, with progress monitored by a multi-stakeholder steering committee. The SAHRC warned that legal action may follow if compliance is not met.