CONSTITUIONAL LAW: HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
NOTES PREPARED BY LAUREN STEVENSON
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EQUALITY PART 1 AND 2............................................................................................................................ 2
EQUALITY 1 ............................................................................................................................................... 3
EQUALITY 2: RESTITUTIONARY MEASURES .............................................................................................. 19
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ...................................................................................................................... 28
TEXTBOOK: 528-549 AND LECTURES ........................................................................................................ 30
POLITICAL RIGHTS ................................................................................................................................... 48
POLITICAL RIGHTS 1................................................................................................................................. 49
POLITICAL RIGHTS 2................................................................................................................................. 55
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS................................................................................................................................. 61
ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS ....................................................................................................................... 75
, EQUALITY PART 1 AND 2
EQUALITY PART 1 AND 2 ............................................................................................................................ 1
EQUALITY 1................................................................................................................................................ 3
Prescribed Sources ...........................................................................................................................................3
Recommended Material ..................................................................................................................................3
SECTION 9 OF THE CONSTITUTION ................................................................................................................................4
9 Equality ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
the structure of section 9 (overview) ............................................................................................................................ 4
SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN CONTEXT: PG. 418-433 AND 444-456 AND LECTURES .........................................5
1 Introducing the constitutional concept of equality ......................................................................................5
(1) Values underlying the right to equality: human dignity and equality ..................................................................... 5
Human dignity .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Equality ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
(2) substantive vs formal equality ................................................................................................................................. 6
Formal equality......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Substantive equality ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Impact of interpretation of section 9 – the right to equality ................................................................................... 6
2 Understanding s9 and the tests....................................................................................................................7
(1) declaring legislation invalid ............................................................................................................................ 7
(2) attack of actions that have discriminated against persons or groups of persons ......................................... 7
the Harksen v Lane test: ss9(1), (3) and (4)................................................................................................................... 8
3 Attacking the constitutionality of a legislative provision .............................................................................9
(1) mere differentiation – s9(1): equality before the law.................................................................................... 9
(2) unfair discrimination: section 9(3) ................................................................................................................. 9
1. does the differentiation amount to discrimination? ......................................................................................... 9
(2) is the discirmination unfair? ............................................................................................................................ 11
(3) the application of s36? ..................................................................................................................................... 13
4 the promotion of equality and prevention of the unfair discrimination act 4 of 2000 = Pillay ................. 15
Non-statutory imposed discrimination: ...................................................................................................................... 15
relevant provisions of PEPUDA ................................................................................................................................... 15
1. S6 of PEPUDA:..................................................................................................................................................... 15
2. Section 1: definitions .......................................................................................................................................... 15
3. Section 14 ........................................................................................................................................................... 16
4. Section 13: burden of proof ............................................................................................................................... 17
Equality Courts ............................................................................................................................................................ 18
EQUALITY 2: RESTITUTIONARY MEASURES ................................................................................................ 19
Prescribed Sources ........................................................................................................................................ 19
Recommended Sources................................................................................................................................. 19
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................................... 20
SA CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN CONTEXT 433-443 AND LECTURES ................................................................................... 20
Redress measures (affirmative action): section 9(2): key concepts ............................................................. 20
The test for redress (affirmative action) measures in terms of s9(2) ........................................................... 21
(1) Burden of proof...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Barnard paras 48-53: .............................................................................................................................................. 21
Minister of Finance v Van Heerden 2004 ............................................................................................................... 21
(2) 3-pronged test ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
A. do the measures target persons or categories of persons who have been disadvantaged by unfair
discrimination? ....................................................................................................................................................... 22
B. are the measures designed to protect or advance such persons or categories of persons? ............................ 22
C. do the measures promote the achievement of equality in the long term? ...................................................... 22
Application of the Test in Jurisprudence....................................................................................................... 23
(1) SAPS v Solidarity obo Barnard ............................................................................................................................... 23
(2) Minister of Constiutional Development v SA Restructuring and insolvency practioners ass. .............................. 25
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................... 26
, EQUALITY 1
PRESCRIBED SOURCES
- Section 9 of the Constitution
- Textbook: 418-433; 444-456
- Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000;
- City Council of Pretoria v Walker 1998 2 SA 363 (CC); 1998 3 BCLR 257 (CC) [only the majority
judgment of Langa DP];
- MEC for Education: KwaZulu-Natal v Pillay 2008 1 SA 474 (CC); 2008 2 BCLR 99 (CC) [only the
majority judgment of Langa CJ]; and
- S v Jordan (Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Task Force as Amici Curiae) 2002 6 SA 642
(CC); 2002 11 BCLR 1117 (CC) [focus only on the unfair discrimination argument: paras 10-20
and 30-31 of the majority judgment of Ngcobo J and paras 57-71 of the minority judgment of
O'Regan J and Sachs J].
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL
- Currie I & De Waal J The Bill of Rights Handbook (2013) 209-241 and 244-249;
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966: articles 2 and 26;
- International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 1965: articles
1 and 2;
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
1979: articles 1-4; and
- African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 1981: articles 2 and 19.
, SECTION 9 OF THE CONSTITUTION
9 EQUALITY
(1) Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.
(2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To promote the
achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or
categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.
(3) The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more
grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual
orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
(4) No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds
in terms of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair
discrimination.
(5) Discrimination on one or more of the grounds listed in subsection (3) is unfair unless it is
established that the discrimination is fair.
THE STRUCTURE OF SECTION 9 (OVERVIEW)
S9(1) – equality before the law, right to equal protection and benefit of the law
S9(2) – restitutionary equality or affirmative action provision = Equality theme 2
S9(3) – prohibition of “unfair discrimination” by the State based on an open list of prohibited grounds
S9(4) – horizonal application of the prohibition of unfair discrimination which is given effect to by
legislation
• PEPUDA, specifically section 14
• Pillay
S9(5) – presumption of unfairness in the case of discrimination based on a listed ground
• Allocated the burden of proof in cases of unfair discrimination
NOTES PREPARED BY LAUREN STEVENSON
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EQUALITY PART 1 AND 2............................................................................................................................ 2
EQUALITY 1 ............................................................................................................................................... 3
EQUALITY 2: RESTITUTIONARY MEASURES .............................................................................................. 19
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ...................................................................................................................... 28
TEXTBOOK: 528-549 AND LECTURES ........................................................................................................ 30
POLITICAL RIGHTS ................................................................................................................................... 48
POLITICAL RIGHTS 1................................................................................................................................. 49
POLITICAL RIGHTS 2................................................................................................................................. 55
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS................................................................................................................................. 61
ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS ....................................................................................................................... 75
, EQUALITY PART 1 AND 2
EQUALITY PART 1 AND 2 ............................................................................................................................ 1
EQUALITY 1................................................................................................................................................ 3
Prescribed Sources ...........................................................................................................................................3
Recommended Material ..................................................................................................................................3
SECTION 9 OF THE CONSTITUTION ................................................................................................................................4
9 Equality ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
the structure of section 9 (overview) ............................................................................................................................ 4
SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN CONTEXT: PG. 418-433 AND 444-456 AND LECTURES .........................................5
1 Introducing the constitutional concept of equality ......................................................................................5
(1) Values underlying the right to equality: human dignity and equality ..................................................................... 5
Human dignity .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Equality ..................................................................................................................................................................... 5
(2) substantive vs formal equality ................................................................................................................................. 6
Formal equality......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Substantive equality ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Impact of interpretation of section 9 – the right to equality ................................................................................... 6
2 Understanding s9 and the tests....................................................................................................................7
(1) declaring legislation invalid ............................................................................................................................ 7
(2) attack of actions that have discriminated against persons or groups of persons ......................................... 7
the Harksen v Lane test: ss9(1), (3) and (4)................................................................................................................... 8
3 Attacking the constitutionality of a legislative provision .............................................................................9
(1) mere differentiation – s9(1): equality before the law.................................................................................... 9
(2) unfair discrimination: section 9(3) ................................................................................................................. 9
1. does the differentiation amount to discrimination? ......................................................................................... 9
(2) is the discirmination unfair? ............................................................................................................................ 11
(3) the application of s36? ..................................................................................................................................... 13
4 the promotion of equality and prevention of the unfair discrimination act 4 of 2000 = Pillay ................. 15
Non-statutory imposed discrimination: ...................................................................................................................... 15
relevant provisions of PEPUDA ................................................................................................................................... 15
1. S6 of PEPUDA:..................................................................................................................................................... 15
2. Section 1: definitions .......................................................................................................................................... 15
3. Section 14 ........................................................................................................................................................... 16
4. Section 13: burden of proof ............................................................................................................................... 17
Equality Courts ............................................................................................................................................................ 18
EQUALITY 2: RESTITUTIONARY MEASURES ................................................................................................ 19
Prescribed Sources ........................................................................................................................................ 19
Recommended Sources................................................................................................................................. 19
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................................... 20
SA CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN CONTEXT 433-443 AND LECTURES ................................................................................... 20
Redress measures (affirmative action): section 9(2): key concepts ............................................................. 20
The test for redress (affirmative action) measures in terms of s9(2) ........................................................... 21
(1) Burden of proof...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Barnard paras 48-53: .............................................................................................................................................. 21
Minister of Finance v Van Heerden 2004 ............................................................................................................... 21
(2) 3-pronged test ....................................................................................................................................................... 21
A. do the measures target persons or categories of persons who have been disadvantaged by unfair
discrimination? ....................................................................................................................................................... 22
B. are the measures designed to protect or advance such persons or categories of persons? ............................ 22
C. do the measures promote the achievement of equality in the long term? ...................................................... 22
Application of the Test in Jurisprudence....................................................................................................... 23
(1) SAPS v Solidarity obo Barnard ............................................................................................................................... 23
(2) Minister of Constiutional Development v SA Restructuring and insolvency practioners ass. .............................. 25
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................... 26
, EQUALITY 1
PRESCRIBED SOURCES
- Section 9 of the Constitution
- Textbook: 418-433; 444-456
- Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000;
- City Council of Pretoria v Walker 1998 2 SA 363 (CC); 1998 3 BCLR 257 (CC) [only the majority
judgment of Langa DP];
- MEC for Education: KwaZulu-Natal v Pillay 2008 1 SA 474 (CC); 2008 2 BCLR 99 (CC) [only the
majority judgment of Langa CJ]; and
- S v Jordan (Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Task Force as Amici Curiae) 2002 6 SA 642
(CC); 2002 11 BCLR 1117 (CC) [focus only on the unfair discrimination argument: paras 10-20
and 30-31 of the majority judgment of Ngcobo J and paras 57-71 of the minority judgment of
O'Regan J and Sachs J].
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL
- Currie I & De Waal J The Bill of Rights Handbook (2013) 209-241 and 244-249;
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966: articles 2 and 26;
- International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 1965: articles
1 and 2;
- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
1979: articles 1-4; and
- African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 1981: articles 2 and 19.
, SECTION 9 OF THE CONSTITUTION
9 EQUALITY
(1) Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.
(2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To promote the
achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or
categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.
(3) The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more
grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual
orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
(4) No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds
in terms of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted to prevent or prohibit unfair
discrimination.
(5) Discrimination on one or more of the grounds listed in subsection (3) is unfair unless it is
established that the discrimination is fair.
THE STRUCTURE OF SECTION 9 (OVERVIEW)
S9(1) – equality before the law, right to equal protection and benefit of the law
S9(2) – restitutionary equality or affirmative action provision = Equality theme 2
S9(3) – prohibition of “unfair discrimination” by the State based on an open list of prohibited grounds
S9(4) – horizonal application of the prohibition of unfair discrimination which is given effect to by
legislation
• PEPUDA, specifically section 14
• Pillay
S9(5) – presumption of unfairness in the case of discrimination based on a listed ground
• Allocated the burden of proof in cases of unfair discrimination
