Press Releases

It is not for me to comment on the recent spat between the DA and the ANC regarding the use of the photograph of Nelson Mandela and Helen Suzman. The Foundation holds no copyright over this photograph. However, as the Director of the Foundation that bears her name, I wish to respond to aspects of the recent, ill judged statements by the ANC’s parliamentary spokesperson, Mr Moloto Mothapo, that were published by the Mail & Guardian (April 26 to May 2, 2013: p.34).

The Helen Suzman Foundation condemns the arrest of human rights lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, and MDC affiliates in Zimbabwe.

The Helen Suzman Foundation has filed papers with the Constitutional Court to oppose the South African Police Service (SAPS) Amendment Act. The Foundation made its written submission to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for the Police on the SAPS Amendment Bill which was aimed at restructuring the Hawks. The HSF has been involved in this process since 2008 when we presented to Parliament opposing the dissolution of the Scorpions.

The Helen Suzman Foundation, Constitution Hill and Mamphela Ramphele launch the Helen Suzman Exhibition

Out of concern for the possible dilution of the right of health protection through medical schemes, a letter has been sent by civil society organisations, in the form of SECTION27, the Helen Suzman Foundation, and the Chair of Social Security at Wits University, to the Ministers of Finance and of Health. The letter warns of the possible consequences that will arise due to damaging regulations that may soon be published in terms of the Insurance Acts (short and long-term). These provisions would seek to allow unregulated insurance products to be sold as parallel insurance coverage to medical schemes.

The Helen Suzman Foundation notes that the National Assembly has passed the South African Police Services Amendment Bill, aimed at complying with the Constitutional Court's judgment in the Glenister case. In Glenister, the Court declared chapter 6A of the SAPS act, which established the Hawks, to be invalid and unconstitutional for failing to provide the Hawks with adequate independence to effectively fight corruption.

The Helen Suzman Foundation will address the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police tomorrow, Wednesday 25 April 2012, on the subject of the SAPS Amendment Bill.

The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has made its written submission to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for the Police on the South African Police Service (SAPS) Amendment Bill aimed at restructuring the Hawks. The HSF has been involved in this process since 2008 when we presented to Parliament opposing the dissolution of the Scorpions.

Minister Gordhan’s 2012 Budget is very much set against the backdrop of the struggling global economy. In his speech on Wednesday the Minister took the opportunity to remark that, despite recent developments, Greece’s problems (and, by implication, the problems of South Africa’s biggest trading partner, the European Union) are far from over.

The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) expresses its concern at the recently expressed expectations by COSATU made in anticipation of the State of the Nation Address on the proposed National Health Insurance Scheme. The HSF agrees with COSATU’s recognition of the poor quality of care in the public health system, but believes that it is premature to demand the implementation of the National Health Insurance scheme as it stands in the Green Paper released in August last year.

The Helen Suzman Foundation wishes to make public its outrage at the passing of the Protection of State Information Bill. This marks a low point in South Africa’s transition to democracy. It represents a significant step backwards in the long walk to freedom to which so many South Africans have devoted their lives.