Genevieve Quintal

Journalist & communicator. Former Business Day political editor, current media & comms officer @AmnestySAfrica

[@AmnestySAfrica @AmnestySAfrica]

📣💟 Call for survivors to contribute towards gender-based violence research:
If you’re a survivor of rape and interacted with the police between April 2020 and March 2023, we invite you to participate in a confidential survey that will contribute to research on the treatment of gender-based violence survivors and police failures.

By sharing your experience, you can help identify what is working, what is failing and what must change to ensure survivors receive the support and justice they deserve.

If you feel comfortable participating, are 18 or older, a survivor of rape and interacted with the South African Police Service between April 2020 and March 2023, we would greatly value hearing your experience:
🔗 https://t.co/Sxb1zcvgz0

[Newzroom Afrika @Newzroom405]

[BREAKING NEWS] Suspended Head of Organised Crime, Richard Shibiri has been fired for bringing SAPS into disrepute. #Newzroom405

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

📢Media Safety and Journalist Security Training Sessions📢

The @SAEditorsForum (Sanef), together with @LHR_SA and @AmnestySAfrica invites media practitioners, human rights defenders and civil society actors to a one day workshop under the CREATE project.

Details below:

[@AmnestySAfrica @AmnestySAfrica]

At the latest #CrimeStats, we held a silent demonstration outside the building where we called for protection of human rights defenders, and all those who speak out against corruption and wrongdoing. The Minister of Police, @Prof_Cachalia, came out to speak with us and expressed his support for our call.

We look forward to engaging with @DOJCD_ZA @GovernmentZA on the protection of these brave individuals and groups.

#StandUpForTheBrave #HumanRights #Protest

[Parliament of RSA @ParliamentofRSA]

IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE ON SECTION 89 ENQUIRY ELECTS MR MAKASHULE GANA AS CHAIRPERSON

Parliament, Monday, 1 June 2026 – The Impeachment Committee on the Section 89 Enquiry has elected Mr Makashule Gana as its Chairperson.

The committee convened today for its inaugural meeting to elect a Chairperson. Two members were nominated for the position: Dr Lehlohonolo Mahlatsi and Mr Makashule Gana. Following a vote by committee members, Mr Gana secured the support of 19 members, while Dr Mahlatsi received 12 votes.

The election marks the formal commencement of the committee’s work. As Chairperson, Mr Gana will provide leadership to the committee, oversee its proceedings, guide its deliberations, and ensure that its work is conducted in accordance with the Constitution, the Rules of the National Assembly, and the committee’s mandate under Section 89 of the Constitution.

The committee will now turn its attention to determining its programme of work and considering the next steps in the enquiry process. Details of future meetings and activities will be communicated in due course.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Enquiries:
Moloto Mothapo
Parliament Spokesperson
082 370 6930

[@AmnestySAfrica @AmnestySAfrica]

We are concerned by reports of a targeted shooting at a community meeting in Bekkersdal last Thursday which resulted in Mbuso Mzwandile Mthimkhulu, a local municipality councillor, being killed. His killing forms part of a broader pattern of people being targeted and silenced through execution-style hits, which threatens to intensify in the lead up to local government elections. @SAPoliceService must urgently and thoroughly investigate Mthimkhulu’s killing, establish the motive and ensure those responsible are brought to book.

@GovernmentZA @SAPoliceService must ensure the right to life is protected and civic space is safeguarded in the lead up to elections, and always. All political parties contesting the 2026 local government elections must ensure that they foster political tolerance to contribute towards preventing violence.

[Nicholas Dawes @NicDawes]

Anyone who has travelled on a weak passport will celebrate investigative reporting into VFS global, the near monopoly intermediary that handles visa applications for 71 countries. https://t.co/ALB7KQM9e3

[Genevieve Quintal @GenMQ]

“There is not a free people, without a free press” 👏🏼

[Al Jazeera English @AJEnglish]

After winning an Emmy, Al Jazeera’s @joshrushing dedicated the award to colleagues and journalists killed by Israel in an emotional speech.

@AJFaultLines documentary on Kids Under Fire won ‘Outstanding War or Violence Conflict Coverage’ at the 2026 News Emmys.

[@AmnestySAfrica @AmnestySAfrica]

Amnesty International South Africa met with Police Minister @Prof_Cachalia today to highlight our concerns about the killing of human rights defenders and the lack of protection for them. The minister said he supported our call and agreed that HRDs need protection.

We will continue to ensure HRDs are protected and that there is justice for those killed.

#CrimeStats #StandUpForTheBrave

[@AmnestySAfrica @AmnestySAfrica]

We're outside @GCISMedia again for the @SAPoliceService #CrimeStats release calling for the protection of human rights defenders.

Last time, we were mourning the killing of @abahlalibM leader Zweli "Khabazela" Mkhize who was shot and killed. This week, community activist Thato Molosankwe’s life was taken after he was gunned down in his home.

@GovernmentZA – There is not enough action to protect human rights defenders and all those who speak out. @Prof_Cachalia @SAPoliceService must ensure thorough investigations into threats, attacks, harassment and killings of people defending human rights.

[Newzroom Afrika @Newzroom405]

Human Rights Watch’s Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka says the latest foreign nationals’ verification outcomes should serve as a wake-up call. She says recent cases in KZN show that many of those accused of
being undocumented were, in fact, legally documented.

Watch: https://t.co/2BitbnT3K5

#Newzroom405

[Newzroom Afrika @Newzroom405]

[WATCH] eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba says one out of 300 immigrants has been found undocumented and has been arrested.

#Newzroom405

[@AmnestySAfrica @AmnestySAfrica]

Reports of attacks and acts of intimidation and harassment against migrants in Durban today are deeply concerning. While we understand the frustration of South Africans who have been denied access to their human rights, violating the rights of others is not the solution. It is unlawful and must be met with perpetrators being held accountable.

@SAPoliceService must take action against individuals and groups who have taken the law into their own hands. This is violating people’s rights to safety, dignity, health and life, and fuelling xenophobia. The lack of accountability sends a message that it is acceptable for these human rights violations to continue.

[amnestypress @amnestypress]

📢📢GOOD NEWS: A new climate accountability resolution at the UNGA was adopted by an overwhelming consensus today. 🙌
It has the potential to shape global climate accountability for years to come. Read more: https://t.co/59YjWb4syu

[Sherwin Bryce-Pease @sherwiebp]

CNN confirms this earlier report from Reuters on April 23rd:

"Trump administration proposes admitting more White South African refugees"

The Trump administration is proposing increasing the refugee admissions ceiling for fiscal year 2026 to 17,500 for White South Africans, according to an emergency determination sent to Congress and obtained by CNN.

https://t.co/ihFsbBf2Ym

[Clement Manyathela @TheRealClementM]

FINALY!!!!!!!President Cyril Ramaphosa has FIRED minister Sisisi Tolashe. Well done South Africa for pushing for accountability.

[@AmnestySAfrica @AmnestySAfrica]

🚨‼️ 26 informal settlements have reportedly been submerged by severe storms in Cape Town. @CityofCT @GovernmentZA @NationalCoGTA must mobilise all the necessary human, financial and technical resources to ensure the swift delivery of adequate and quality goods and services to communities affected by the floods.

More than five million people live in South Africa’s informal settlements. The upgrading of informal settlements is a key measure to ensuring they have access to adequate housing, yet this process is far too slow and must be urgently prioritised. It is unacceptable that the people who have contributed the least to climate change are the worst affected by its impact. @The_DHS must act faster in building climate-resilient communities – safeguarding the right to access adequate housing in the face of increasing extreme weather events and the climate crisis.

[@AmnestySAfrica @AmnestySAfrica]

Devastating #floods, that have resulted in loss of life, in the Western Cape once again highlights the urgent need for @GovernmentZA @GDCoGTA @The_DHS to prioritise building climate-resilient communities. Residents of informal settlements and underserved areas bear the brunt of extreme weather events such as floods, yet government response remains patchy and uneven.

The climate crisis is now. No one should be #FloodedandForgotten.

[Qaanitah Hunter @QaanitahHunter]

“I will not resign. To do so would be to give credence to a panel report that is gravely flawed.”

[Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa]

I was advised by my legal team that the panel report was capable of being reviewed by a court of law on several grounds, including the misconception of its mandate, grave errors of law and unfounded conclusions of fact.

However, the outcome of the vote of the National Assembly in 2022 stopped the process of further examination through a review of the report, resulting in the report having no practical and legal consequence.

I therefore did not proceed at that time with the review of the panel’s report as the National Assembly had taken a decision on the matter.

However, I said at the time that I reserved my right to institute review proceedings against the panel’s report should circumstances change.

https://t.co/iUhysBvlHq