Media Statement: The South African Human Rights Commission and Executive Mayor

of the City of Johannesburg reach settlement on social media post

Attention Editors and Reporters

4 December 2018

In November 2018, the SAHRC (the Commission) became aware, through various social
media platforms, of a tweet posted by the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr
Herman Mashaba in which he stated the following “we are not going to sit back and allow
people like you to bring us Ebolas in the name of small business. Health of our people first.
Our health facilities are already stretched to the limit”.

Upon assessment of the tweet, the Commission was of the view that it implicated a number
of rights listed in the Bill of Rights. Following this, the Commission initiated an own accord
investigation and consolidated all complaints received from members of the public into one,
and proceeded to assess this matter.

The Commission, in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of promoting and protecting human
rights, determined that this matter would be best resolved through a conciliation meeting and
called the Mayor to appear before it today for purposes of obtaining more information in
order to fully assess the matter and to clarify the social media post on which the complaint
was based. This meeting was chaired by Commissioner Angie Makwetla and issues
discussed at the meeting included: Migration, Public Statements made by government
leaders, Social Cohesion and the critical role played by public figures in combatting or
perpetuating stereotypes relating to migration and migrant communities.

On the issue of social cohesion and migration, Commissioner Makwetla noted the Mayor’s
apology and expressed the view that there is a need to encourage social cohesion in the
City of Johannesburg. She emphasized the importance of constructive interaction between
National Government and the City of Johannesburg on migration and documentation of
non-nationals.

The Mayor was given a platform to recount his version of events. He stated that he realised
that his comments were inappropriate hence his decision to issue a media statement to
demonstrate his commitment to contribute to positive social discourse regarding migrants in
the City. Upon the conclusion of the conciliation discussion and as part of the settlement,
both the Commission and the Mayor have undertaken to do the following:

● The Executive Leadership (Mayor, Mayoral Committee and Senior Management) of

the City of Johannesburg will participate in specialised human rights workshop to be
facilitated by an eminent human rights practitioner under the auspices of the
Commission. Details of this workshop will be provided in due course.

● The City of Johannesburg in collaboration with the Commission will host a Social
Cohesion summit in May 2019 with a view to fostering social cohesion between the
 migrant community and locals; May is Africa Month. The Social Cohesion summit will
form part of an integral strategic government programme with the objective to
highlight the need for renewed commitment to social cohesion, diversity, integration
and adherence to the values of Ubuntu. This will be preceded by a roundtable
discussion with relevant stakeholders on the Rule of Law, Development and
Migration geared towards social integration, combatting crime and peaceful
co-existence.

● The Commission made an undertaking to facilitate a multi-lateral meeting between

the Departments of Home Affairs, Labour, Justice and the City of Johannesburg.

The Commission welcomes the commitments made and the settlement reached as it
symbolises the Mayor’s continued commitment to serving the people of Johannesburg
diligently and with dignity, irrespective of their social origin.

Ends

For interview requests, please contact: Mr Buang Jones (Gauteng Provincial Manager) on
011 877 3752/ 078 617 0476 / bjones@sahrc.org.za OR Luyanda Mfeka, Director: Mayoral
Communications (Office of the Executive Mayor), Contact: 076 171 5978/
luyandam@joburg.org.za

ISSUED BY SAHRC & CITY OF JOHANNESBURG