A petition calling for the disbandment of the South African Human Rights Commission has reached 50,000 signatures on Change.org following the commission’s controversial hospital overcrowding finding. Image: Supplied

SAHRC Disbandment Petition Hits 50,000 Signatures as South Africans Demand New Human Rights Body

A petition calling for the disbandment of the South African Human Rights Commission has reached 50,000 signatures. The SAHRC disbandment petition was launched on Change.org and has grown rapidly in recent days. Signatories argue that the commission has failed in its constitutional mandate and has consistently prioritised certain groups over others.

What the SAHRC Disbandment Petition Says

The petition calls on the government to immediately dissolve the SAHRC. Furthermore, it calls for the commission to be replaced with a new body that is fair, unbiased and truly accountable to all South Africans. The petition states that the commission has created division rather than protected human rights equally.

“We, the undersigned citizens of South Africa, call for the immediate disbandment of the South African Human Rights Commission. We believe that the Commission has failed in its constitutional mandate to protect the human rights of all South Africans. Instead, it has consistently prioritised certain groups over others, creating division and undermining the trust of the public,” the petition reads.

Furthermore, signatories argue that the resources currently allocated to the SAHRC could be redirected to more effective community-based human rights initiatives. They argue that grassroots organisations and local community leaders are better positioned to address human rights concerns on the ground.

Why the Petition Is Growing Now

The petition gained significant momentum after the SAHRC stated during a virtual imbizo on Monday 25 May 2026 that there is no evidence to support claims that foreign nationals are responsible for overcrowding in South African public hospitals. Many South Africans rejected that finding. As a result, the petition saw a sharp surge in signatures in the days that followed.

Furthermore, the SAHRC’s participation in the broader immigration debate has drawn criticism from those who feel the commission consistently defends the rights of foreign nationals while failing to adequately address the rights and concerns of South African citizens in poor communities.

A second petition calling for the disbandment of the commission has also been circulating on Change.org. It argues that the SAHRC’s slow response times and administrative failures have prolonged the suffering of victims of human rights abuses. Therefore, multiple petitions with overlapping demands are circulating simultaneously.

What the SAHRC Is and What It Does

The South African Human Rights Commission is a Chapter 9 institution established under Section 181 of the South African Constitution. It is mandated to promote, protect and monitor the observance of human rights in South Africa. The commission has the power to investigate human rights violations, issue subpoenas and make recommendations to Parliament.

As a Chapter 9 institution, the SAHRC is constitutionally protected. Therefore, disbanding it would require a constitutional amendment. That process requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and the support of six of nine provincial legislatures. As a result, disbanding the commission through the petition alone is not legally possible. However, sustained public pressure can compel Parliament to review the commission’s mandate, funding and leadership.

Has the SAHRC Responded

The SAHRC had not issued a formal public response to the petition at the time of publication. The commission has maintained its position that its mandate is to protect the human rights of all people in South Africa regardless of nationality. Furthermore, it has defended its hospital overcrowding finding as evidence-based.

To view the petition visit change.org.

Editors Note The SAHRC is a constitutionally protected Chapter 9 institution. Disbanding it would require a constitutional amendment. The petition referenced in this article is a public advocacy tool and does not carry legal force on its own. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.