Update on Recent or Current Religious Freedom Issues and Cases

 * The cases and issues in which FOR SA is/has been involved, are marked with a star (*).

POLICIES & BILLS

Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill*

Parliament’s Basic Education Portfolio Committee is set to commence its deliberations on the Bill in August 2023. The Bill was opened for public comment in 2022 and the Committee held public hearings in November 2022 which continued in 2023.  (While FOR SA engaged with the Bill when it was still in front of the Department of Basic Education, we did not participate in Parliament’s call for comments, due to the Bill no longer posing identifiable religious freedom threats). FOR SA will monitor the progress of the Bill. If an amended version of the Bill is considered by the National Council of Provinces (the second house of Parliament), we will reconsider whether such a version includes any (new) threats to religious freedom.

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill, 2022

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill, 2022 (or Prostitution Bill) was published by the Department of Justice for public comment on 9 December 2022 through 31 January 2023. The Department of Justice subsequently withdrew the Bill.  The Bill proposed to amend South African law to fully decriminalise the system of prostitution.  While this Bill did not directly pose any threat to religious freedom (and thus falls outside FOR SA’s mandate), many religious leaders and other organisations have expressed serious concern about the implications of decriminalising prostitution. FOR SA published this short comment, in order to provide religious leaders with an oversight of the Bill and guidance on how to participate in the public participation process.

Department of Basic Education draft Protocol for the Elimination of Discrimination in and through Schools [Draft 3 of 9 May 2022]*

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has produced a draft Protocol for the Elimination of Discrimination in and through Schools [Draft 3 of 9 May 2022] (draft Discrimination Protocol). The DBE allowed FOR SA to submit comments on this draft (FOR SA’s submission focussed, amongst other things, on the need for the Discrimination Protocol 1) to recognise that religion, conscience and belief are all grounds on the basis of which one cannot be unfairly discriminated against; 2) to recognise parental rights; and 3) to recognise the State’s obligation to ensure that education must be directed at the preservation and strengthening of positive African morals, traditional values and cultures.)  In FOR SA’s engagements with the DBE, the Department confirmed that it is awaiting a legal opinion from its Legal and Legislative Services division as to whether public consultations are still necessary after the district-focused stakeholder consultations the DBE held. Should public consultations be deemed necessary, the DBE will have to decide how such public consultations will be held. FOR SA is following up closely with the Department.

Department of Basic Education draft Guidelines for the Socio-Educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Schools*

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has produced draft Guidelines for the Socio-educational Inclusion of Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sex Characteristics (draft SOGIESC Guidelines). The DBE allowed FOR SA to submit comments on this draft (FOR SA’s submission focussed on the need for the Guidelines to respect all learners’ rights to equality, freedom of expression and religious freedom.)  The DBE has expressed its intention to roll out the Guidelines in all public schools – it will therefore apply to grades R through 12. According to the DBE, these materials have been developed to “create an enabling environment for United Nations, African Union, ESA and Southern African Development Community Member States to carry out diversity and inclusion work in education and training.” In FOR SA’s engagements with the DBE, the Department confirmed that it is awaiting a legal opinion from its Legal and Legislative Services division as to whether public consultations are still necessary after the district-focused stakeholder consultations the DBE held. Should public consultations be deemed necessary, the DBE will have to decide how such public consultations will be held. FOR SA is following up closely with the Department.

Department of Home Affairs’ proposed Single Marriage Bill*

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is has gazetted its draft Marriage Bill for public comment until 31 August 2023. The Bill follows the DHA’s White Paper on Marriages in South Africa (its new marriage policy). (See this article for more information on the policy.) The Bill aims to bring all South Africa’s existing different marriage laws under one legislative umbrella. FOR SA will be studying the Bill and will notify the public should there be any religious freedom concerns. From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA made submissions on the draft version of the policy to ensure that the religious freedom of religious marriage officers, and the organisations to which they belong, remain protected – specifically to only conduct marriages that conform to their, and/or their religious organisation’s religious doctrines and beliefs.  This right has been respected and protected in the White Paper.

Draft Employment Equity Regulations 2023*

The Department of Employment and Labour published its Draft Employment Equity Regulations 2023 for public comment until 11 June 2023. From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA made submissions on the draft regulations’ failure to define who will be seen as performing social services – insofar as this failure may unintentionally affect religious organisations.

Draft National Health Act Amendment Regulations, 2022*

The Department of Health gazetted its Draft Amendment Regulations relating to the surveillance and the control of notifiable medical conditions for public comment until 5 August 2022. See this video for the reasons why FOR SA viewed the proposed Draft Amendments to the Regulations as a severe threat to religious freedom. FOR SA ran a public participation campaign on the DEAR SA platform which saw over 325 000 public submissions made. The Draft Amendments seem to have been put on hold indefinitely, with South African society having returned to pre-pandemic normality since the second half of 2022.

Expropriation Bill*

Parliament’s first house, the National Assembly passed the Expropriation Bill on 28 September 2022. The Bill is now in front of Parliament’s second house, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The NCOP opened the Bill for public comment from 6 February 2023 to 6 March 2023. The Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) also opened the Bill for public comment from 16 May to 9 July 2023. FOR SA made written submissions to both the NCOP and WCPP, as well as oral submissions to the WCPP. We are set to also make oral submissions in front of the NCOP at a date to be determined. Should the Bill pass the NCOP it will go to the President to be signed into law. (From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA made submissions focusing solely on the potential expropriation of church land / land used for religious purposes.)

Learner Pregnancy Policy*

The Department of Basic Education’s Policy on the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy in Schools was gazetted on 3 December 2021 after Cabinet approved it at the end of September 2021. The Department launched the policy in February 2022. The Department conducted a provincial advocacy drive, where the Department’s draft Implementation Plan was discussed to finalise it. The Department is still in the process of finalising this plan. (From a religious freedom (and parental rights) point of view, FOR SA made submissions on the draft version of the policy, to oppose the inclusion of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) – which has proven itself worldwide to be a highly controversial and explicit programme that sexualises children rather than teaching them about sex while being ineffective at protecting children from harmful sexual behaviour. The message of CSE is at odds with the views and values in which many religious parents want – and have the right – to raise their children.)

PEPUDA Amendment Bill*

FOR SA met with the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development on 21 February 2023.  The Deputy Minister advised FOR SA that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would not be tabling the draft Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act Amendment Bill (PEPUDA Amendment Bill) in Parliament until after the 2024 election. The Department had opened the Bill for public comment until the extended date of 30 June 2021 and engaged with stakeholders who had made substantive comments (of which FOR SA was one) during October 2022. FOR SA was allowed to make a further submission to the Department. The DOJ has said that it is not its intention that the Bill interferes with religious autonomy or doctrinal interpretation and that the Department will consider potentially including specific clauses to protect the right to religious freedom in a future draft of this Bill. (From a religious freedom perspective, FOR SA made submissions on the radical and detrimental impact that the Bill would have on the right of people and organisations of faith to freely share, and live out, their religious beliefs without fear.)

Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill*

The Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill (commonly known as the Hate Speech Bill) was Bill passed by Parliament’s first house, the National Assembly, on 14 March 2023. The Bill is now in front of Parliament’s second house, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The NCOP opened the Bill for public comment from 18 April 2023 to 25 May 2023 at 13:00. The NCOP is set to start work on the Bill in August 2023.

The Bill is notorious, not only for its wide definition of “hate speech” (some would say it even fails to clearly define what hate speech is) but also for proposing an eight-year maximum jail sentence for those found guilty of “hate speech".

From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA made submissions arguing that a definition for “hate” be inserted and for a strengthening of the religious exemption clause.  The initial version of the Bill that was first opened for comment by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development back in 2017, contained no exemption for religious expression. Due to the large-scale public engagement by the religious community, the Department wrote in a religious exemption clause. FOR SA will continue to follow the progress of the Bill and will concentrate specifically on having the religious exemption clause strengthened.

Registration of Muslim Marriages Bill

Hon Mr Ganief Hendricks (the founder and leader of Al Jama-Ah, a political party intended to uphold Muslim rights and interests) has tabled a private members bill in Parliament. The Bill aims to regulate the recognition, registration, proprietary consequences and dissolution of Muslim marriages. The Bill has been allocated to the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee who will work on the Bill and call for public comments on it. FOR SA will follow the process closely and, as soon as this Bill opens for public comment, will notify the public should there be any religious freedom concerns.

South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC): Issue Paper 32: The Right to Know One’s Biological Origins*

This Paper asks the question whether SA law should be amended so as to provide for compulsory disclosure of information to a child regarding his/her conception. The SALRC has advised that there have been no further developments on this issue paper, and it is uncertain when further progress will be made on it. From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA raised concerns regarding the mandatory disclosure of information which could violate the best interest of the child principle.

South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC): Discussion Paper 152: Single Marriage Statute*

In South Africa currently, there is no single law governing the solemnisation and registration of marriages. Instead, there are various pieces of legislation governing different civil marriages, civil unions, customary marriages, etc. The SALRC’s January 2021 Discussion Paper investigated the possible adoption of a single South African marriage law governing all types of marriages. The paper opened for public comment until 17 May 2021, and contained the SALRC’s preliminary proposals – including two draft Bills.

The SALRC submitted its report on this investigation to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for promotion to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services in November 2022. This report is not yet publicly available. From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA made submissions on the Discussion Paper, particularly to ensure that the religious rights of religious marriage officers, and the organisations to which they belong, to only solemnise marriages that conform to their religious convictions and beliefs, remain protected.

Victim Support Services Bill, 2020*

The Department of Social Development opened the Victim Support Services Bill, 2020 for public comment until 7 October 2020. The Department has screened and considered all the comments received from public consultation. The State Law Advisors gave their input on the Bill, which has been debated at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). It is now being prepared for consideration by the Cabinet. Only thereafter will it be tabled in Parliament, so no timeline can yet be given for tabling in Parliament.

The Bill seeks to ensure that the rights of victims of violent crime are respected and protected by service providers dealing with (including religious organisations and workers providing “spiritual services” to) such victims. From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA has made submissions on the Bill, which includes very broad and intrusive provisions that unduly limit the constitutional rights of religious organisations and workers, and put a massive administrative, financial and practical burden upon these organisations and workers.

Western Cape Guidelines on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity*

The Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) published its draft Guidelines for public input and comment by 19 June 2020. The WCED has advised that the Guidelines are now on hold with the Provincial Minister (who has the sole discretion on when to sign it so that it can be rolled out into schools) pending the finalisation of the National Department’s SOGIESC Guidelines. From a religious freedom point of view, FOR SA made submissions on the potential impact of the Guidelines on the freedom of conscience, religion and belief of teachers and other learners, and also pointed out the equality, privacy and safety concerns arising from the Guidelines.

WHO Amendment of International Health Regulations, 2005

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is revising its International Health Regulations, which is a legal framework that sets out member states’ rights and duties when handling cross-border public health events and emergencies. South Africa has submitted joined amendment proposals with the other African WHO member states). In-depth discussions on the proposed amendments will continue in April 2023 onwards. FOR SA will follow the amendment process to identify any potential treats to religious freedom in South Africa.

WHO Draft Pandemic Treaty

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is busy drafting a first of its kind ‘pandemic treaty’ for the purpose of strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Currently, it intends submitting the final draft to the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024. South Africa is a WHO member state and (in principle) the Government seems supportive of an international health treaty. FOR SA will follow treaty development process to identify any potential treats to religious freedom in South Africa.

LEGAL CASES

Mthembu v Christian Life Private School (Johannesburg High Court, Equality Court)*

The parents of a 9-year-old Zulu boy instituted legal proceedings against an independent Christian school in Johannesburg, after the school – based on its Biblical convictions and beliefs – refused to allow the child to wear an isiphandla (a traditional bracelet signifying a connection with the ancestors) at school. The parents allege that the school’s refusal amounts to unfair discrimination based on culture and, amongst other things, is asking for R300,000-00 damages for the impairment of their and their child’s dignity and emotional pain and suffering. FOR SA has been admitted as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the matter, which was heard in July 2022. During the court hearing, the parties agreed to resolve the matter by mediation. The court postponed the hearing without a date, to allow the parties to pursue mediation.

SAHRC vs Beloftebos (Cape High Court, Equality Court)*

In March 2020, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) instituted legal proceedings against Beloftebos, a Christian-owned wedding venue near Stanford, in the Cape Town High Court (sitting as an Equality Court). The SAHRC accuses Beloftebos of unfair discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation after the venue refused – on grounds of the owners’ religious conviction that marriage is between a man and a woman – to host and be actively involved in celebrating a same-sex wedding at the venue, back in 2017. Beloftebos has filed opposing papers, and also instituted a counter-application against the SAHRC for the bias and hostility with which they have acted against Beloftebos. The SAHRC, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development are opposing Beloftebos’ counter-application. The Women’s Legal Centre has indicated that they have applied to be a “friend of the court”. The matter is currently still pending.

Heekes & Watling v Beloftebos (Cape High Court, Equality Court)*

In the meanwhile, a second same-sex couple filed an application to intervene in the SAHRC’s case against Beloftebos. The couple is asking, amongst other things, that Beloftebos be ordered to pay R 2 million in damages for refusing to host their same-sex wedding. Importantly, they are also asking the Court for a broad order, declaring that “the expression of religious beliefs as a basis on which to refuse to associate with or conduct business with a same-sex couple, constitutes hate speech and/or discrimination” in terms of the Equality Act.  The matter is currently still pending.

State v Timothy Omotoso (Gqeberha High Court)

The ongoing trial against pastor Timothy Omotoso (who stands accused on numerous charges of sexual assault and human trafficking) continues, with the latest development being that his attorney applied to have some proceedings in connection to the trial declared irregular and not according to the law. Omotoso remains imprisoned.

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