In a statement issued on Thursday, the Commission’s Chairperson, Bongani Majola, said the destruction of property is unwarranted during protests.

Majola said while the Human Rights Commission supports the constitutional right of South Africans to protest, those that do so should never violate the rights of other citizens in those efforts.

“The destruction of public property has a direct bearing on the provision of basic social services and ultimately on the enjoyment of socio-economic rights,” it added.

The commission said the destruction of public property would add to municipalities’ service delivery woes, especially following the Auditor-General’s Consolidated Report on municipalities revealed that many municipalities are unable to provide basic services.

It has urged communities to attempt to address their concerns in a constructive manner and by engaging municipalities in ways other than destroying property.

Statement issued