Yet another local business has come under fire for allegedly having segregated toilets.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) this week confirmed that the Blouberg Animal Clinic in Louis Trichardt is being investigated after complaints were received that the building has separate toilets for black and white staff and customers. “I can confirm that the SAHRC is investigation the matter at the animal clinic, where we dispatched investigators following allegations of racism at the clinic. This matter is under investigation and, as part of that investigation, we will get submissions from the employees at the clinic and the owners,” said Mr Isaac Mangena of the SAHRC.

The SAHRC’s investigation follows a second report in the Sowetan newspaper last week, stating that the animal clinic has four toilets. Their journalist allegedly used the toilet reserved for black people and found it was located outside and behind the main building, while the toilets for whites were inside.

At the time of going to press, the Blouberg Animal Clinic did not respond to various requests for comment on the allegations.

In the meantime, the situation at the Sentraal office complex (old Vleissentraal Building) seems to be returning to normal. The office manager, Ms Riana van Schalkwyk, said on Monday that she had received no further threats and that the only struggle was to catch up on her work that had fallen behind while she had to deal with tenants’ demands.

Regarding the Sentraal building, Mangena also said that there were positive developments in the matter. “We are receiving cooperation from the owner of the building and everyone involved. We got submissions from the tenants and also met the owner of the building, who actually came to the SAHRC offices in Polokwane. We can’t divulge the content of his submission or what we are talking about but can confirm that this matter should be resolved as soon as possible,” said Mangena.

From the owner’s side, Mr Ben van der Merwe also indicated that the SAHRC had asked that a meeting with the tenants on Monday, 17 November, be provisionally cancelled. The SAHRC wanted more time for their consultation process. “They asked us to wait, so now we wait,” said Van der Merwe.