Constitutional Court rules Human Rights Commission cannot issue binding directive

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the South African Human Rights Commission cannot issue binding directives, saying the watchdog must turn to the courts to enforce its recommendations. The judgment stems from a dispute over restricted access to borehole water on a farm, where an SAHRC order was ignored. The court made it clear: unlike the Public Protector, not all Chapter 9 institutions have enforcement teeth. Phemelo speaks to SAHRC Commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi and legal expert Mpumelelo Zikalala.