Constitutional Law: Theme 1-8
Constitutional Law 312: 2021
Table of Contents
1 TRANSFORMATIVE CONSTITUTIONALISM & HUMAN RIGHTS LAW IN RSA...........................3
I. THE CONCEPT OF TC............................................................................................................................... 3
II. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF TC FOR HUMAN RIGHTS LITIGATION & ADJUDICATION?.......................................5
III. WHAT ARE THE MAIN CRITICISMS OF TC FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF DECOLONISATION THEORIES.........................10
2 EQUALITY: PART 1........................................................................................................ 11
I. THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONCEPT OF EQUALITY.............................................................................................. 11
II. INTERPRETATION OF SECTIONS 9(1), (3) & (4) OF THE CONSTITUTION...........................................................12
III. THE PROMOTION OF EQUALITY & PREVENTION OF UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION ACT (“PEPUDA”)..........................22
3 EQUALITY: PART 2........................................................................................................ 28
I. RESTITUTIONARY EQUALITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION MEASURES: KEY CONCEPTS....................................................28
II. S9(2) OF THE CONSTITUTION & THE 3-PRONGED VAN HEERDEN TEST...........................................................29
III. APPLICATION OF TEST IN JURISPRUDENCE.................................................................................................35
4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHTS............................................................................................. 42
I. SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHTS (SERS) IN THE 1996 CONSTITUTION.....................................................................43
II. JUSTICIABILITY OF SERS........................................................................................................................ 45
III. INTERPRETING SERS............................................................................................................................ 47
IV. VALUES & PURPOSES THAT SERS PROTECT & PROMOTE.............................................................................53
V. WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE DUTIES IMPOSED BY SERS...................................................................................57
VI. MAZIBUKO: WATERING DOWN OF REASONABLENESS REVIEW?......................................................................60
VII. PROGRESSIVE REALISATION.................................................................................................................. 62
VIII. AVAILABLE RESOURCES...................................................................................................................... 63
IX. RIGHT TO BASIC EDUCATION................................................................................................................. 64
X. NEGATIVE DUTIES IMPOSED BY SERS....................................................................................................... 67
XI. REMEDIES IN SERS CASES.................................................................................................................... 68
5 FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION............................................................................................ 70
I. INTRODUCTION TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION..............................................................................................70
II. PROTECTED EXPRESSION IN SECTION 16(1)..............................................................................................73
III. CONTROVERSIAL CATEGORIES OF EXPRESSION...........................................................................................79
IV. UNPROTECTED EXPRESSION IN SECTION 16(2)......................................................................................... 84
V. DEVELOPMENT IN CASE LAW.................................................................................................................. 88
6 POLITICAL RIGHTS: PART 1........................................................................................... 92
I. INTRODUCTION: POLITICAL RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY.......................................................................................92
II. KEY PROVISIONS OF CONSTITUTION: SECTIONS 1(D) & 19...........................................................................93
III. VALUES & PURPOSES: S19................................................................................................................... 93
IV. THE RIGHT TO MAKE POLITICAL CHOICES & THE ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN S19(1).....................................94
V. THE RIGHT TO FREE, FAIR & REGULAR ELECTIONS: S19(2)..........................................................................96
6 POLITICAL RIGHTS: PART 2........................................................................................... 99
I. THE RIGHT TO VOTE: S19(3).................................................................................................................. 99
II. THE RIGHT TO VOTE & THE FUNDING OF POLITICAL PARTIES........................................................................102
III. THE RIGHT TO STAND OR/ AND HOLD OFFICE..........................................................................................106
7 CHILDREN’S RIGHTS: PART 1.......................................................................................109
I. INTERNATIONAL LAW........................................................................................................................... 109
II. KEY PROVISION: SECTION 28................................................................................................................ 110
III. AUTONOMY & PROTECTION................................................................................................................. 111
IV. S28(2): CHILD’S BEST INTERESTS....................................................................................................... 113
7 CHILDREN’S RIGHTS: PART 2.......................................................................................117
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, I. KEY PROVISIONS S28........................................................................................................................... 117
II. THE RIGHT TO APPROPRIATE ALTERNATIVE CARE: S 28(1)(B)......................................................................118
III. THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED FROM MALTREATMENT, NEGLECT, ABUSE OR DEGRADATION: S 28(1)(D)..............119
IV. SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHTS IN TERMS OF S28(1)(C)..................................................................................121
8 ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS: PART 1...............................................................................126
I. APPROACHES TO INTERPRETING ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS............................................................................126
II. SECTION 24 OF CONSTITUTION............................................................................................................. 127
8 ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS: PART 2...............................................................................133
I. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES: SECTION 2 OF NEMA................................................................134
II. CLIMATE CHANGE............................................................................................................................... 137
III. SECTION 24 & OTHER RIGHTS IN THE BOR............................................................................................ 138
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,1 Transformative constitutionalism & human rights law in RSA
Week 2:
Lecture overview
I. The concept of TC: What does it entail?
II. What does TC imply for human rights litigation and adjudication?
a. Balancing enforcement of Bill of Rights (BOR) by the courts, and respect for
democracy
b. Substantive legal reasoning: value-driven reasoning
c. Positive/Negative State duties
d. Vertical /Horizontal application
e. Openness towards international and foreign law
III. Criticisms of TC from the perspective of decolonisation theories
Prescribed materials
Constitution: Ch 2
Textbook: 26 – 34 [1.4-1.4.2]
Pieterse M “What do we mean when we talk about transformative constitutionalism?”
(2005) 20 SAPL 155-166
Sibanda S “Not purpose-made! Transformative constitutionalism, post-independence
constitutionalism and the struggle to eradicate poverty” (2011) 22 Stell LR 482-500
I. The concept of TC
Constitution was written in response to the social, economic & political history of South
Africa.
o Commonly referred to as being a transformative Constitution, or being
transformative in nature, as it is committed to transformation on a social, legal,
political & economic level.
o CC has confirmed the transformative nature of the Constitution.
What does transformative constitutionalism entail?
o Karl Klare “Legal culture and transformative constitutionalism” (1998) 14 SAJHR
146 150 (recommended reading
“By transformative constitutionalism I mean a long-term project of
constitutional enactment, interpretation and enforcement
committed … to transforming a country’s political and social institutions
and power relationships in a democratic, participatory, and
egalitarian direction. Transformative constitutionalism connotes an
enterprise of inducing large-scale social change through nonviolent
political processes grounded in law.”
Klare also highlights characteristics of the Constitution that manifests in
this transformative nature;
Inclusion of social rights & a substantive concept of equality -
provision is made for redistributive equality.
Affirmative state duties – provision is made for negative & positive
duties on the state.
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, Horizontality – horizontal application of the BOR
Provision is made for participatory governance – in terms of our
democracy citizens are actively involved in the democratic process
Incorporates multiculturism & diversity
It is historically self-conscious – in order to enable the Constitution
to be interpreted & reinterpreted, in order to reflect the evolving
challenges that our society faces
o P. Langa “Transformative constitutionalism” (2006) 3 Stell LR 351 at 354
“…transformation is not a temporary phenomenon that ends when we all
have equal access to resources and basic services and when lawyers and
judges embrace a culture of justification. Transformation is a permanent
ideal, a way of looking at the world that creates a space in which
dialogue and contestation are truly possible, in which new ways of
being are constantly explored and creative, accepted and rejected and in
which change is unpredictable but the idea of change is constant.”
He is effectively saying that the Constitution provides us with the
rights, the values & the institutions that can enable social change &
active dialogue & contestation is crucial to achieve this outcome.
Core concepts
o Large scale change to redress the injustices of apartheid & colonialism, in order
to bring about a more just society
This supposes a reconstruction of the state & society, as well as a
redistribution of power & resources.
See preamble of Constitution; “We adopt this Constitution as the supreme
law of the republic, so as to; heal the divisions of the past & establish a
society based on democratic values, social justice & fundamental human
rights, lay the foundations for a democratic & open society in which
government is based on the will of the people & every citizen is equally
protected by law, improve the quality of life of all citizens & free the
potential of each person, & build a united & democratic South Africa able
to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.”
o Align legal systems with foundational constitutional values of democracy, human
dignity, freedom & equality
Proactive & context sensitive measures that affirm these values, must be
implemented.
The legal systems & accompanying legal frameworks, must be reflective
of & embrace these foundational values of democracy, human dignity,
freedom & equality.
o Deeper understanding of South Africa’s colonial & apartheid history – not only
necessary to understand but also be aware of how it shapes our present realities
Constitution is set to contain a commitment to create a society
fundamentally different to the one that existed at the time when the
Constitution was being drafted.
When it is interpreted, SA’s colonial past & apartheid history must be
considered & taken into account, as well as the effect that it has on our
current realities.
Langa “…transformation means that new ways of being are constantly
explored, accepted & rejected, & in which change is unpredictable but the
idea of change is constant. We must therefore look both forward &
backward at the same time, by acknowledging our specific historical
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, context as well as the effects of that history & the ongoing injustices in
South Africa.”
o Requires an openness to new, emerging forms of injustice e.g. HIV/AIDs;
environment; non-nationals; corruption
How do we address these new challenges?
New forms of disadvantage & marginalisation must be recognised & also
responded to.
Society changes & this means that new challenges arise, ultimately
leading to new emerging forms of injustice. TC requires an openness to
these new forms of injustice.
o Law as a tool to help bring about these positive changes; identify & change legal
rules that obstruct transformative change; develop new legal rules
Use it to advance social change. It is therefore necessary to identify &
change the legal rules that obstruct TC. Once identified they can be
changed by developing new legal rules.
o Adjudication is one method for advancing social change but is not the only.
Other methods?
Law reform
Public participation in legislative process eg. voting
o Need diversity in the dialogue
Role of civil society organisations – provide communities unable to
do so alone, to approach courts
Policy change
Mobilisation
Chapter 9 institutions – democracy & public participation are
interlinked & are very NB
II. What are the implications of TC for human rights litigation & adjudication?
Implication: Adjudication & democracy
Democracy is a constitutional value
o Emphasised in the Preamble & in s1 which stipulates that SA has to be a
sovereign democratic state. S1(d) further provides the democratic values &
principles on which SA is founded – referring to universal adult suffrage, a
national common voter roll, regular elections & multiparty system of democratic
government to ensure accountability, responsibility & openness.
o Need for public debate & dialogue is NB to effect transformation.
Also consider the primary role of legislature & executive in transformative change
o The legislative branch can effect transformative change as it is responsible for
making the law
o Transformative change can also be implemented by the executive branch as it is
responsible for developing & implementing policy & legislation.
S7(1): The BOR is “a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa”
o It enshrines the rights of all people & affirms the democratic values of human
dignity, equality & freedom.
o S7(1) highlights & affirms the interdependence between rights & democracy.
Tensions between rights enforcement by courts and the will of Parliament
o The judiciary is responsible for interpreting & enforcing the law,
o The institution of judicial review is an NB function that the judiciary fulfills
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, o Leads to tension between rights enforcement by the courts & parliament. This
tension is commonly referred to as the counter-majoritarian dilemma. It concerns
the difficulty with reconciling the power of judicial review that is vested in
unelected judges to enforce constitutional rights with the will of the
democratically elected majority. The dilemma is a consequence/result of the SOP
doctrine.
Separation of powers doctrine
o The essence of the dilemma is that judicial review, while recognised as having a
legitimate purpose, it involves the courts taking undemocratic decisions that
could possibly go against the majority.
o So how do we achieve a balance. How do we ensure that the courts perform
judicial review in a manner that balances the need to promote & respect the
majoritarian nature of our democracy while also ensuring the Constitution’s
transformative vision & transformative nature is enforced?
Constitutional mechanisms to achieve a balance?
o The answer lies in judicial interpretation & in how judges make their decisions.
Implication: Interpreting legislation to promote consistency with the Constitution
S 39(2): “When interpreting any legislation, and when developing the common law or
customary law, every court, tribunal or forum must promote the spirit, purport and
objects of the BOR”
o Must promote consistency with the Constitution
o This section is the answer to finding a balance.
This was confirmed by the CC in Jordaan v City of Tshwane Metropolitan
Municipality 2017 (6) SA 287 (CC), para 44
o “Since Hyundai, all legislation must be approached through the prism of
the Bill of Rights. And it has been ‘gold-plate doctrine’ in this Court that, if
a meaning conformable with the Bill of Rights can reasonably be ascribed to
legislation, that meaning must be embraced, rather than one that offends the
Constitution”
Where it is possible to save the validity of the legislation by giving it a reasonable
meaning that is consistent with the Constitution, then this route must be followed,
rather than declaring the legislation unconstitutional and invalid.
Implication: Subsidiarity principles
Three principles
1 Principle: A litigant must rely on legislation enacted to give effect to a particular
right & cannot rely directly on the relevant constitutional right.
2 Proviso to this rule is: the litigant can rely directly on the relevant right to attack
the constitutionality of the legislation.
3 Further provides that a litigant must rely on legislation enacted to protect a
particular right and cannot rely directly on the common law.
MEC for Education: Kwa-Zulu-Natal v Pillay paras 39 – 40
o S9 Constitution & PEPUDA
o Court provided that the claims brought under PEPUDA, had to be considered
within the 4 corners of that Act, this meant that the litigant could not circumvent
legislation which had been enacted to give effect to a constitutional right by
attempting to rely directly on the constitutional right. Because doing so would be
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