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The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) has initiated a systemic investigation into the human rights impact of delayed development and upgrading of informal settlements in the North West Province.

Through its work in the Province, the Commission has encountered concerns regarding the conditions in which residents of informal settlements live, including limited or inadequate access to water, sanitation, electricity, refuse removal, roads and other essential services. In some instances, communities have remained in informal settlements for extended periods while awaiting development, upgrading or relocation.

The investigation seeks to establish the extent of informality in the North West Province; the nature and adequacy of services provided to residents; the status and pace of development and upgrading programmes; the causes of delays; and the impact of prolonged informality and delayed development on the enjoyment of human rights.

The Commission will obtain information from municipalities, relevant provincial departments and other organs of state. The investigation will also include targeted site inspections of selected informal settlements.

As part of the investigation, the Commission invites residents of informal settlements, community organisations, civil society organisations, traditional and community leaders, researchers, academics and other interested persons or organisations to provide information relevant to the investigation.

Information required 

The Commission is particularly interested in information concerning:

• informal settlements which have existed for prolonged periods without development or upgrading;
• how long particular informal settlements have existed and the approximate number of people or households living there;
• access to water, sanitation, electricity, refuse removal, roads and other basic services;
• services which are not provided or are inadequate and the effect this has on residents;
• the adequacy of temporary or interim services provided while communities await development;
• promises, plans or commitments made by municipalities or other organs of state regarding development, upgrading or relocation;
• delays in development or upgrading and explanations provided for those delays;
• communities which have no clear information about whether or when their settlements will be developed;
• the impact of living conditions on dignity, health, safety, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable residents;
• challenges in accessing schools, healthcare facilities, emergency services or other essential services because of the location or condition of informal settlements;
• community engagements or consultations concerning development or upgrading;
• examples of informal settlement development or upgrading initiatives that have worked effectively; and
• proposed measures for improving the development of informal settlements and protecting the rights of residents while they await development.

Where possible, submissions should identify:

• The name and location of the informal settlement;
• The municipality in which it is situated;
• The nature of the concern or experience being brought to the Commission’s attention;
• How long the problem has persisted;
• The services affected;
• Any engagements with the municipality or other organs of state and the responses received; and
• Any supporting information or documents available. Supporting material may include correspondence with organs of state, photographs, petitions, community memoranda, meeting records, reports or other relevant documents.

How to make a submission

Written submissions may be submitted via email or in person at:

Email: smlombo@sahrc.org.za

Physical/Postal Address: 25 Heystek Street, Rustenburg, North West.

Subject line: Systemic Investigation – Informal Settlements

Submissions must reach the Commission by 30 October 2026.

Alternative means of participation

Persons or communities who are unable to make written submissions may contact the North West Provincial Office on 063 728 8544 for further information regarding how they may participate in the investigation.

The information received through the public submissions will be considered together with information obtained from municipalities, provincial departments, site inspections and other relevant sources in assessing the human rights impact of delayed development of informal settlements in the North West Province.

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission