Civic Rights

Challenging laws and policies that limit freedom of expression, assembly and association, including implementation of FATF Recommendations on money laundering and terrorist financing in an overly broad manner that limits civic rights.

Ongoing Cases

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Botswana

Botswana Gazette takes water utility to court on access to information

In 2014, the Sunday Standard newspaper carried a story entitled “The rich blocking water flow in Gaborone dam”, wherein it was reported that the WUC commissioned a study which allegedly…
Botswana

Challenging Criminal Code on Alarming Publications in Botswana

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) supports  Tshepo Junionr Sethibe through Obonye Attorneys, represented by Dr Jonas Obonye, who are challenging Section 59(1) of the Botswana Penal Code. The provision…
Civic Rights

South Africa: Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and another

On 22 September 2020, the Constitutional Court will hear the case of Jonathan Dubula Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and Another (case no: 13/20). The Constitutional Court will…
Civic Rights

Zambia: Challenging the enforcement of the offence of defamation of the President

The offence of defaming the President has been used far more in Zambia over the past decade than in many other countries. This is a great cause of concern and…

Completed Cases

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Zimbabwe: Challenging the disenfranchisement of Zimbabweans in the diaspora

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Shumba & Others v Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs & Others SALC supported three members of the Zimbabwe Diaspora, represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who challenged…

Zimbabwe: Challenging limits on voter education

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Veritas v. Zimbabwe Electoral Commission & 2 Others SALC is providing support to Veritas, a non-profit organisation based in Zimbabwe which provides publicly accessible information on the work of the…

Zambia: Defending activist on contempt of court charges

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Factual Background On 13 March 2018, the Supreme Court of Zambia gave a final judgment in the case of Savenda Management Services v Stanbic Bank Zambia Limited. Prior to that,…

Eswatini: Supporting the right to protest at a university

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SALC is concerned that the doctrine of common purpose is on occasion used by university councils to punish student leaders where damages of university property occurred during a student protest.…

Articles

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Articles

Uganda: Repeals vagrancy, sedition, and false news offences

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) notes that the Uganda Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023, has repealed some of the rogue and vagabond, sedition, and false news offences in…
Articles

Non-alignment or hypocrisy: South Africa’s non-alignment costing Africa’s human rights discourse

Washington Blade 31 May 2023 By Melusi Simelane In the past several months, South Africa’s foreign policy has been in the spotlight for essential and existential reasons that significantly impact…
Articles

False news or free speech: Protecting freedom of expression in Botswana

Published in The African and IOL 3 May 2023 By: Melusi Simelane, Civic Rights Cluster Manager, Southern Africa Litigation Centre Publishing false news or alarming/misleading information, defined differently in different…
Articles

Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow: International Women Human Rights Defenders Day

On 29 November 2022, the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) commemorates International Women's Human Rights Defenders Day under the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow." SALC, whose mandate…

Resources

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Civic Rights Association & Assembly

SALC submission on Zimbabwe’s 3rd universal periodic review

Zimbabwe is in the midst of an economic crisis, which has only been exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdown restrictions have led to a decrease in manufacturing,…
Civic Rights Resources

2019-2021 Biennial report

SALC's biennial report captures activities for March 2019 to February 2021. Read the report here.
Civic Rights Association & Assembly

SALC submission to the OHCHR for the Tanzania UPR

In March 2021, SALC made a submission to the Office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights for the Tanzania UPR 39th session. Read the submission here.
Civic Rights Resources

SALC Submission on the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill, 2020

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) filed written submissions in the Parliament of Eswatini. The  submissions were filed with the Clerk of the ICT Portfolio Committee. In the submissions, SALC…