The proposed PEPUDA Amendment Bill spells danger for religious freedoms in our country.
What is PEPUDA and this Amendment Bill all about?
PEPUDA is an acronym for the Promotion of Equality and the Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, which is intended to protect people from being unfairly discriminated against. So far, so good - unfair discrimination (as a reasonable person would understand it) is unacceptable - but sections of this act and especially the proposed amendments leave it wide open to abuse because of its broadening definition of discrimination which makes it completely subjective in nature.
Why is this a problem?
Of greatest concern (although there are numerous) is that this act is already being used by activists as a weapon to target faith based groups who seek to uphold their religious convictions within their own organisations. If the proposed amendments are passed, the complainant will no longer even need to show intent to discriminate on the part of the accused, but can build a case merely on the grounds that they felt discriminated against. And they can do so with legal representation funded by tax-payer money, while the accused will have to cover their own legal expenses.
What can you do about it?
TAKE ACTION: The public have been given until 30 June 2021 to submit their comments, which must be reviewed before the bill can be passed.
FOR SA (Freedom of Religion SA) have prepared a helpful email template with all the correct legal terminology to express constructive opposition to this amendment bill.
CLICK HERE to download the email template with instructions on how to send your comments to the Department of Justice.
For more info watch the video series below by FOR SA: