‘Toxic’ SA Human Rights Commission environment leaves MPs concerned

The “toxic environment” within the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in the Western Cape emanates from staff being opposed to the appointment of Zena Nair as the institution’s provincial manager.

This is according to the justice and constitutional development portfolio committee following a meeting with the management and employees of the SAHRC at the Cape Town office as part of their oversight function on Wednesday.

The visit follows a meeting the committee held recently after the suspension of the commission’s CEO Vusumuzi Mkhize and the complaints levelled against the commission’s chairperson Chris Nissen and commissioner Philile Ntuli.

SAHRC staff, some of whom described low staff morale and a rigid management style, recently told the committee that it was difficult for them to come to work every day.

Other staff members opted not to speak about the challenges, while some felt that despite the challenges, they were there to work and were able to engage with Nair when they did not agree with her.

The committee had expressed concern over the “toxic” environment in the SAHRC, which it described as a situation that was further deteriorating for some time.

On Wednesday, committee chairperson Xola Nqola said the commission’s employees made MPs understand the genesis of the crisis.

“There is clearly a lot of institutional knowledge at the institution, as the majority of staff has been serving the commission for many years. Currently, that knowledge is not being utilised to the benefit of South Africans, as we can clearly see from the dismal performance of the Commission in its annual report.”

During the visit, the MPs first met with Nair, Nissen and commissioner Aseza Gungubele to gain an understanding of the commission’s work in protecting and advancing human rights.

Nair informed the MPs that she returned to an organisation whose performance had deteriorated after being off work for about a year due to medical reasons. “She confirmed that five staff members have instituted a collective grievance against her, mainly relating to her management style and the work environment. The matter is set down for February next year,” said Nqola.

He said it was clear as daylight that an intervention was required as the Western Cape team at the commission was divided. He also said the call for an inquiry into the fitness of the commissioners should be the last resort.

“That is a serious process and should only be followed once all other avenues have been exhausted. We need to stabilise the commission,” he said.

Cape Times