Tests and Processes Flashcards
When is the s9(1) test used?
when the state differentiates between groups of people, potentially threatening constitutional value of rule of law
What is the s9(1) test?
Rationality test from Harksen.
- Does the provision differentiate?
- What is the legitimate purpose of the provision?
- Is there a rational connection between 1 and 2?
When do we use the s9(2) test?
when redress measures taken by the state (as allowed in s9(2)) are deemed to be unconstitutional, the test determines whether these remedial or restitutive measures pass constitutional muster.
What case sets out the s9(2) test?
Van Heerden
What is the s9(2) test?
- the measure must target groups/categories of people who have been disadvantaged by past unfair discrimination?
- the measure must be designed to protect/advance groups who have been previously disadvantaged by past unfair discrimination
- these measures must promote achievement of equality in the long run.
When is the s9(3) test used?
When state, through the passing of legislation, directly or indirectly discriminates against groups of people on listed/analogous grounds from s9(3).
Where is the s9(3) test from?
Harksen
What is the s9(3) test?
- has there been differentiation? (s9(1) test)
- has there been mere differentiation, or is it discrimination?
- furthermore, is it fair or unfair? and thus who bears the burden of proof otherwise?
- is it a case of intersectionality? - if this is unfair discrimination, can it be justified in terms of the general limitation clause in s36(1)?
case law concerning analogous grounds?
Hoffman (HIV status)
indirect discrimination cases?
Mahlangu - COIDA and its affect on domestic workers (black, female, poor etc.)
S v Jordan (minority) - sex workers act unfairly discriminated vs women
what does s9(4) give rise to?
PEPUDA - promotion of equality and prevention of unfair discrimination act
Lawrence case
Freedom of religion case - “freedom implies an absence of coercion or constraint”
Pillay
FOR and PEPUDA case, re wearing a nose ring at school.
Not up to the state to decide what is religious practice is/isn’t.
reasonable accommodation test - sometimes communities have to take on positive obligations in order to facilitate things, even if they cost money.
Laerskool Randhart
Public schools cannot claim to be denominational
- feeder communities will evolve beyond religious ideals
- sense of inferior differentness in minority students
- contrary to the requirement of equitable treatment of religions
Prince
Infringement of the right to Freedom of Religion, but reasonable and justifiable under s36(1) because:
- can’t easily distinguish between who can and cannot smoke
- state’s ability to enforce drug use would be impaired
- administration and enforcement would be an issue.
Strydom
Unfair discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation - PEPUDA claim
- church relied of FOR to justify discrimination
- because of the facts (i.e., Strydom was at a distance to the actual church practices/ideologies) church was NOT granted an exemption.
- look at the extremeness of Strydom’s personal situation as a result of him being fired.
- “his right to dignity is seriously impaired due to the unfair discrimination”
De Lange
“the closer the court gets to personal and intimate spheres, the more they enter into the inner sanctum and thus interfere with our privacy and autonomy.”
s16
freedom of expression - extends to the limitation of hate speech
characteristics of freedom of expression
innate, consider South Africa’s history with FOE, central to being human.
why do we prohibit hate speech?
- prevent disruption of public order
- prevent psychological harm to targeted groups
- prevent visible and invisible exclusion of minority groups
- prevent social conflagration and political disintegration