pityana

Date: 2 October, 1995

The Human Rights Commission (HRC), a statutory body provided for under the Interim Constitution, on its inaugural meeting on 2 October 1995 elected Nyameko Barney Pityana as its chairman. He said the commission would ensure that the rights of all citizens were protected, making sure that South Africa complied to the Universal Declaration of Human rights. Pityana further emphasised that the commission would also monitor legislation in Provincial Legislatures. Seven days later the Commission issued its first report, relating to violence in September. It concluded that eight-four deaths during the month could be attributed to political violence, of which forty-seven were in the troubled KwaZulu-Natal province.

Reference:

1. (1995) Keesing's Record of World Events, News Digest, October, pg.40760