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Open Access
Addressing domestic violence: to what extent does the law provide effective measures?
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2004) Kruger, H. B.
English: The high incidence of domestic violence in South Africa calls for a competent legal response. The Constitution as well as international human rights conventions oblige the state to protect human rights, including the rights of victims of domestic violence. The government is, therefore, challenged to enact effective legal measures to address domestic violence. This paper undertakes to examine the current legal remedies and protection available to victims of domestic violence. The focus is on the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998. The Act is discussed, compared to previous legislation and critically evaluated to assess its effectiveness in addressing domestic violence.
Open Access
African philosophical values and constitutionalism: a feminist perspective on Ubuntu as a constitutional value
(University of the Free State, 2008) Keevy, Ilze; Raath, A. W. G.
English: Since 1995 the South African Constitutional Court has contended that it would no longer entertain only Western thought and legal thinking but also African law and legal thinking as the values of all sections of society must be taken into account in South Africa’s open and democratic society. The Court acknowledged ubuntu as part of South Africa’s jurisprudence and fused Western and African jurisprudence into a new South African “rainbow” jurisprudence. But beneath this miraculous fusion lies a volatile philosophical relationship of two ancient patriarchal philosophies which resulted in the erosion of African values and innumerable injustices against the African Other. Like Greek philosophy, Western philosophy has always been plagued by philosophical prejudice towards women, slaves and barbarians. Racism, however, only entered the equation of Western philosophy when the West had to justify their trade in twenty million African men, women and children as African chattel slaves in the seventeenth century. This crime against humanity was justified in the name of Christianity by philosophers and clergy alike. Whilst the Enlightenment philosophers proclaimed human equality and individual liberties in the eighteenth century they also fuelled a “new racism” which stereotyped Africans as inferior and subhuman. Not only did the Otherness of Africans result in racial segregation in the United States of America in 1883, it also legitimised Western colonisation of the “Dark Continent”. Under the banner of the cross, Western colonial powers embarked on their Christian civilising mission of the African continent: destroying African trade patterns, ancestral lands, self government, tribal systems, African law, cultures, belief systems and values. It was, however, not these factors, the colonial genocides in Congo Free State and German South-West Africa or Apartheid South Africa’s crime against humanity which resulted in the lingering inferiority complex Africans experience on the African continent, but the most destructive weapon wielded by the West: the “cultural bomb”, which eroded African values. The publication of Temple’s Bantu Philosophy in 1945 did not only bring proof that traditional Africans have a collective philosophy but also sparked a heated international and national philosophical debate. In an attempt to structure the discourse on African philosophy Oruka introduced his six trends in African philosophy. According to Oruka, ethnophilosophy (or ubuntu) represents the collective philosophy, or ubuntu, of either an African community or Africa as a whole; sage philosophy illustrates that rational thought prevails in philosophical sages; political philosophy contains the liberation philosophies of African leaders who envisaged the rekindling of eroded traditional African values; Negritude is described as the “sum total of African values”; professional African philosophy is African philosophy in the strict sense produced by African philosophers; the hermeneutical approach attempts to reconstruct African reality in post-colonial Africa; and the literary trend illustrates the devastating effect of Western subjugation of the African Other. The debate on African philosophy illustrates that there is no homogenous way of African thinking and that professional African philosophers, modern Africans, African theologians and African feminists reject traditional African modes of thought. The Constitutional Court claims ubuntu values are in line with the Constitution in general and the Bill of Rights in particular but this study brings evidence to the contrary. Not only are ubuntu values represented in traditional Africa’s closed, strong communitarian societies unique and not universal, but ubuntu “moral philosophy” proves to be a religious philosophy. Whilst sec. 15(1) of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion one has to question why the Court entertains a religious philosophy such as ubuntu in its deliberations and not other religious philosophies. The Constitutional Court, African Renaissance, the Moral Regeneration Movement, the Ubuntu Pledge, the Heartlines Project and other programmes throughout South Africa aspire to revive ubuntu’s eroded traditional African values. African feminists, African theologians and modern Africans reveal that ubuntu fuels inequalities, sexism and xenophobia and that ubuntu does not comply with sec. 39(1) of the Constitution. Ubuntu is neither in line with international or regional human rights and gender mechanisms nor “the Constitution in general and the Bill of Rights in particular”.
Open Access
An analysis of the codes of good practice issued in terms of the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003
(University of the Free State, 2006-11) Knoetze, Hyla Magdalena; Snyman-Van Deventer, E.; Conradie, M.
English: BBBBBEE170 is an essential ingredient in facilitating the meaningful participation of blacks at all levels of the South African economy, in order to ensure sustainable socio-political and economic stability and the sustainability of the economic growth and development. BBBEE key principles • It is an ongoing process and not an event • It is a business imperative and an integral component of the company’s business strategy and is based on the core values of the organization • • It must result in meaningful and significant participation of blacks in the company and in the broader economy, through substantial changes in the racial composition of ownership, control, management structures and of skilled and specialist positions • It must lead to advantaged strategic position for the company, greater profitability, business growth and sustainable increase in stakeholder value • it is the responsibility of all management in the organisation.
Open Access
Are the rights of the disabled a reality in South Africa? Part One
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2003-12) Reyneke, J. M.
English: For a long time the rights of disabled persons have been ignored not only in South Africa, but also in the rest of the world. There are many disabled persons who can participate on an equal level with able-bodied persons, but on the other hand, there are many disabled persons who are unable to do so due to the nature and severity of their disabilities. Discrimination against disabled persons leads to exclusion from functioning in a normal way in the community and the denial of the right to function freely in society. Legislation can assist in the prevention of discrimination against such persons and also in their upliftment.
Open Access
Are the rights of the disabled a reality in South Africa? Part two
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2004-06) Reyneke, J. M.; Oosthuizen, H.
English: For a long time the rights of disabled persons have been ignored not only in South Africa, but also in the rest of the world. There are many disabled persons who can participate on an equal level with able-bodied persons, but on the other hand there are many disabled persons who are unable to do so due to the nature and severity of their disabilities. Discrimination against disabled persons lead to the exclusion of them to function in a normal way in the community and the denial of their rights and to function freely in society. Legislation can assist in the prevention of discrimination against such persons and also in their upliftment.
Open Access
Artikel 6 van die Wet op Binnekennistransaksies - 'n groepsgeding of aksie in die openbare belang vir die regulering van binnekennistransaksies?
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2001) Henning, Johan; De Bruin, Jaco
English: The Constitution introduced the concept of a class action in the South African legal system in 1993. The Constitution however limited the use of class actions to rights enshrined in the Constitution. The constitutional class action was followed by a proposal by the South African Law Commission for general legislation on class actions and actions in public interest. The Panel for Security Regulation commented on the discussion paper advocating the use of similar legislation in the fight against insider trading. The King Commission again raised the concept of a derivative action in the fight against insider trading resulting in section 6 of the Insider Trading Act. This action shares some of the characteristics of the class action and action in public interest and sets the way forward for the use of this type of legislation in the commercial world.
Open Access
The authorization of trustees in the South African law of trusts
(University of the Free State, 2006-11) Smith, Bradley Shaun; Van der Westhuizen, W. M.; Van Schalkwyk, J. H.
English: An analysis of the historical development of the trust in South Africa indicates that the trust has formed a part of South African jurisprudence for almost two centuries and, as such, has become a vibrant, dynamic and highly versatile institution in both commercial and legal practice. Initial recognition of the trust was occasioned chiefly by piecemeal (and fragmented) pre-Union legislation and case law. After 1910 the existence of the trust was confirmed by the Appellate Division – at that time the highest court in South Africa – and uniform legislation become applicable throughout the four provinces of the newly-established Union. The 1913 Administration of Estates Act was the first post-Union Act to apply to the law of trusts. This Act however only applied to the testamentary trust, but other legislation (such as the Trust Moneys Protection Act of 1934) eventually followed which applied to both testamentary and inter vivos trusts. The promulgation of the Trust Property Control Act 57 of 1988 is, however, widely regarded as being the most important contribution by the Legislature to the South African law of trusts. Section 6(1) of the 1988 Act introduced the requirement of written authorization of all trustees before they could act in that capacity. However, despite the seemingly clear and unambiguous wording adopted by the Legislature, the Courts have not interpreted and applied the section in a uniform fashion, leading to great uncertainty especially as far as the effect of non-compliance with section 6(1) is concerned. This dissertation attempts, by way of the legal historical method of research, to analyse the reported cases dealing with section 6(1), to compare the development of the requirement of written authorization with analogous requirements posed by previous legislation, and, as a consequence, to determine the true purpose of and rationale behind the insertion of the section. In order to combat the current uncertain legal position, three possible solutions are suggested, namely common law mechanisms, legislative intervention, and the correct interpretation of section 6(1).
Open Access
Die beskerming van kredietwaardigheid in die Suid-Afrikaanse reg
(University of the Free State, 1986-01) Klopper, Hendrik Balsazer; Claasen, J. Y.
Afrikaans: Die probleem wat in hierdie studie hanteer word, is of kredietwaardigheid werklik met die persoonlikheidsregtelike lama van 'n persoon gelykgeskakel kan word en of dit daarmee ooreenstem soos wat tans die siening van die geldende reg is. Leiding moet noodwendig by die kredietgewingspraktyk in die feitelike werklikheid gesoek word omdat dit die taak van die regswetenskap is om verskynsels in die feitelike werklikheid tot regulerende regsreëls te herlei. Die werklikheidsbeskouing van kredietwaardigheid toon merkbare afwyking van die regswerklikheid. Kredietwaardigheid in die feitelike werklikheid word omskryf as die vertroue wat die kredietontvanger (skuldenaar) by die kredietgewer (skuldeiser) verwek in die wil en vermoë om sy finansiële verpligtinge te kan nakom. Die beskouing van die reg van kredietwaardigheid moet dan aan die hand hiervan geskied. Sekere regstelsels verleen direkte erkenning aan kredietwaardigheid en is in pas met die werklikheidsbeskouing van kredietwaardigheid. (Die Duitse, Oostenrykse en tot 'n mate, die Nederlandse reg). Ander regstelsels plooi weer die beginsels van die lasterdelik om beskerming te bewerkstellig terwyl sommiges statutêre beskerming bied (Engeland, Amerika en Kanada). Hierdie wetgewing het ook 'n voorkomende uitwerking. Die Romeinse en Romeins-Hollandse reg erken nie kredietwaardigheid as 'n spesifieke belang nie en ook is daar besliste twyfel of hierdie regstelsels kredietwaardigheid as 'n faset van dié fama geken het. Tog word daar tekste in hierdie regstelsels aangetref wat verwys na die vertrouenselement wat in kredietwaardigheid te vinde is. Die Suid-Afrikaanse reg benader kredietwaardigheid as synde 'n faset van die persoonlikheidsregtelike lama of as sinoniem daarvan en wend die lasteraksie aan om beskerming daarvan te bewerkstellig. Omdat kredietwaardigheid in die werklikheid nie die lama van'rtpersoon is nie, word van die erkende beginsels van die lasteraksie afgewyk om beskerming te bewerkstellig. So word weinig aandag aan die onregmatigheids- en skuldelement gegee en in sommige gevalle word onregmatigheid en skuld (opset) selfs verontagsaam ten einde kredietwaardigheid te beskerm. Kredietwaardigheid verskil in wesensopsigte van fama en hierdie andersheid word beklemtoon deur die feit dat 'n regspersoon wat oor geen persoonlikheidsregtelike fama kan beskik nie, tog kredietwaardig kan wees. Kredietwaardigheid kan nie met die persoonlikheidsregtelike lama gelykgeskakel word nie. So 'n gelykskakeling beteken dat die verlies aan lama ook verlies aan kredietwaardigheid meebring wat nie noodwendig die geval is nie. Hierdie gelykskakeling misken ook een van die grondelemente van kredietwaardigheid, naamlik die vermoë om te kan betaal. Die aantasting van kredietwaardigheid gee in die meeste gevalle aanleiding tot vermoënskade wat 'n aanduiding is van die belang wat betrokke is, naamlik 'n vermoënsbelang. lndien 'n regswetenskaplike nis vir kredietwaardigheid gesoek word, resoneer dit as subjektiewe reg onder die immateriële goedereregte synde 'n geesteskepping van die mens op ekonomiese gebied. Daarby voldoen kredietwaardigheid aan al die vereistes vir 'n subjektiewe reg. Omdat kredietwaardigheid 'n vermoënsreg, te wete 'n immateriële goedereg is, is die beginsels van die actio legis Aquiliae daarop van toepassing wat beteken dat nalatigheid voldoende is om aanspreeklikheid te vestig. Skade weens kredietwaardigheidsaantasting is ook met 'n redelike mate van juistheid berekenbaar. Dit beteken egter nie dat die aantasting van kredietwaardigheid nie tot 'n aksie vir genoegdoening aanleiding kan gee wanneer die benadeelde kan aantoon dat die kredietbenadelende bewering ook sy fama of dignitas aangetas het nie. In so 'n geval moet die sekondêre betekenis van die bewering egter blyk omdat die klassieke inbreukmakingshandeling tegelyk regmatig en onregmatig kan wees. Uit die gelyktydige regmatigheid en onregmatigheid van die inbreukrnakingshandeling ontstaan 'n dilemma omdat die benadeelde nie weet waarom krediet hom geweier word nie. Hierdie verskynsel veroorsaak dat die gemeneregtelike aksies, alhoewel voldoende, nie prakties beskerming kan bied nie. Om hierdie gebrek te verwyder beteken dat wetgewing ter verpligting van die openbaarmaking van inligting met die behoud van die gemeneregtelike aksies en wat terselfdertyd die geldigheid en verspreiding van sulke inligting beheer, noodsaaklik is. Nie alleen sal dit inbreukmakings voorkom en beskerming verhoog nie, maar sal dit ook die geleentheid bied om inbreukmakings op privaatheid weens die versameling en verspreiding van kredietinligting te beheer.
Open Access
The best interests of the child in school discipline in South Africa
(Tilburg University, 2013-06-28) Reyneke, Jacomina Margaretha; de Groof, J.; Pretorius, J. L.; van Genugten, W. J. M.
No abstract available.
Open Access
Die Britse veroweringsaanspraak op die Oranje-Vrystaat, 1900
(Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State, 2011-09) De Bruin, Jaco; Wessels, Andre; Henning, Johan
On 28 May 1900, Lord Roberts issued a proclamation (back-dated to 24 May 1900) stating that the Orange Free State (OFS) Boer republic was annexed as the Orange River Colony (ORC). This article deals with the British allegations that they had conquered the OFS, as early as the end of May 1900. It deals especially with the legality of these averments in the context of the law of nations. The opinions of a number of legal authorities are evaluated and applied to the situation prevailing in the OFS. Several other proclamations and opinions are also taken into consideration, as well as the events in the Brandwater Basin in July and August 1900, when a very significant number of the OFS forces in the field surrendered. The positions of and comments by General CR de Wet and President MT Steyn are evaluated, and the decisions handed down in a number of post-war court cases are considered. New light is shed on the legal status of the Boer representatives taking part in the negotiations leading up to the signing of the Peace of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902.
Open Access
Bullying in the workplace : towards a uniform approach in South African labour law
(University of the Free State, 2014-01) Smit, Dina Maria; Du Plessis, J. V.
Bullying in the workplace is a kind of aggression that occurs where an individual or group intimidates, excludes, harasses, insults, mistreats or demeans another individual or group at work, either directly or indirectly. A complex power imbalance presents itself, in that the perpetrator uses formal or informal power over his or her victim to such an extent that the victim is almost powerless to defend him or herself. Bullying can occur from the top to the bottom, from the bottom to the top, or horizontally. Not all kinds of bullying give rise to illegal acts, but even if menial bullying continues over time, it can give rise to severe negative effects. Due to new digital developments in employment, the management of cyberbullying, as a form of workplace bullying, complicates the legal dilemma even further. Not only do bullied victims have to continue in a working relationship where the bullying took place, but depression, stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and a plethora of physical illnesses also take their toll, as reflected in abnormally high turnover and absenteeism figures. If no timeous intervention occurs early during the bullying, severe psychological problems have been reported by bullied victims, which render them incapable to continue with work, or lead to summary resignations accompanied by claims for constructive dismissal. Low morale and negativity have been shown to be linked to workplace bullying and impact negatively on the organisation as a whole, and vicarious liability for the employer may follow. Due to the fact that there is no universally accepted definition for bullying and different jurisdictions place bullying on different continuums, it adds to the problem of regulating and preventing workplace bullying. The question has been asked whether there is a need to legislate employees into being “nice” to one another, but that merely shows the lack of knowledge about the notion and effects of workplace bullying. Sexual harassment is a form of human behaviour and is regulated extensively. With bullying four times more prevalent than sexual harassment, there is no reason why bullying should not be regulated also. Many countries, such as Sweden, Germany and France, have legislated bullying and there is a strong drive in the USA to have the Healthy Workplace Bill passed. Many states have introduced different versions thereof, but none have been passed. The USA treats bullying as a form of harassment, and no protection exists for employees who fall outside the scope of certain “classes”, unless, of course, the bullying amounts to criminal actions or tort action. The UK treats workplace bullying as a dignity violation and extensively uses antistalking law, in the form of the Protection from Harassment Act of 1997, to curb bullying. Australia views bullying from a health and safety perspective and, in South Australia, it is currently dealt with by means of Codes. There is a drive to eradicate bullying from the workplace on a national level through a new Code (dealing with workplace bullying), for which public commentary has recently closed. Little has however been done in South Africa to create awareness of, or deal with, this peril. The country is in dire need of a uniform approach to workplace bullying. It is not clear on which continuum bullying should be placed, but as our discrimination laws are not limited to certain “classes”, it is not suggested that separate legislation should be passed. The new Protection from Harassment Act could be used, as in the UK. Employers should embark on the creation and implementation of zero-tolerance policies in the workplace to deal with this pervasive problem. For too long the victims of workplace bullying have suffered silently at the hands of bullies.
Open Access
A business rescue model for unincorporated business entities in South Africa
(University of the Free State, 2022) Mpofu, Kudzai; Moolman, H. J.; Snyman-Van Deventer, E.
The significance of small and medium enterprises in promoting economic growth has received sufficient academic and legislative attention. However, little attention has been paid towards promoting and promulgating legislation that oversees the recovery of small enterprises in financial distress. The study compares business rescue schemes applicable to sole proprietorships and partnerships to draw lessons for the legislature and policymakers in South Africa. The current legislation on business rescue and debt review intentionally exclude sole proprietorships and partnerships mainly because of their legal personality. The Companies Act of 2008 only admits incorporated companies to business rescue. Furthermore, the National Credit Act 2005 excludes partnerships from debt review because the legislature classified them as juristic persons. For this reason, sole proprietorships and partnerships in financial distress cannot depend on the current legislation to facilitate restructuring proceedings. Therefore, the study identifies the key elements of an effective business rescue scheme which may apply to unincorporated business entities. Through a comparative assessment of different rescue regimes, it was concluded that an efficient rescue scheme must consist of an eligibility criterion, a procedural framework consisting of a step-by-step rescue process and an institutional framework with already pre-determined role players. The main conclusions from the study are that the eligibility criterion must only admit business debtors to the business rescue process. On that note, it was observed that it would be necessary to regulate the liability of sole proprietorships and partnerships during the rescue process. This may be achieved by recognising them (sole proprietorships and partnerships) as legal persons for purposes of business rescue. The study shows that the step-by-step procedure should include a commencement procedure that allows owners of sole proprietorships and partners in a partnership to apply for business rescue. As soon as the procedure commences, a moratorium on creditors' rights must be automatically activated. The stay should protect the business, the owners, and the codebtors. While the moratorium is the operation, the business rescue practitioner must prepare a business rescue plan that includes the treatment of secured and unsecured creditors. More so, consideration must be made on the possibility of selling parts of the business, merging the business with other successful businesses or incorporating the business. The study revealed that it may be necessary for the legislature to allow the debtor to continue borrowing during the business rescue process. However, the rescue process is terminated if the business rescue plan is fully implemented or the debtor faces unforeseen economic hardships. The effect of termination is that the debtor is discharged. The study indicates that the institutional structure should include the debtor, the business rescue practitioner and a specialised judge. The success of business rescue depends on the honesty and cooperation of the debtor. It was concluded that to reduce the cost of business, rescue the debtor may remain in control of its business but must be monitored regularly by appointing a state-sponsored business rescue practitioner who reports to the creditors. In the event that the creditors have reason to mistrust the debtor's honesty, they may choose to appoint and pay for a private business rescue practitioner jointly. In that case, the debtor must cooperate with the business rescue practitioner who oversees or monitors the rescue process. The business rescue practitioner must regularly report to the creditors and the court about the success or failures of the debtor. Since business rescue involves different areas of study, including business, law and financing, it was concluded that South Africa might need a specialised court system. Establishing an administrative institution akin to the Office of the official receiver would also be necessary to oversee the rescue process. Such an institution may be subsidised by the state to reduce the cost of business rescue. Generally, most of the observations made during the study were included in the recommendation to the legislature.
Open Access
Calvyn die juris: kroniek
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2001) Wessels, H. A.; De Bruin, J. H.
Abstract not available
Open Access
Celebrating the common law rights of man - a note on Blackstone's work on natural law and natural rights: chronicles
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2009-12) Nydam, L.; Raath, A. W. G.
William Blackstone's (1723-1780) Commentaries, a four-volume work, the first edition of which appeared in 1765, was produced in an epoch of natural law theory which marked the transition from "justification" to the "exposition" of natural law precepts and the shift from the ground of obligation of natural law to the formulation of detailed rules in natural law jurisprudence. Similar in style to E de Vattel's Le Droit des Gens, ou Principes de la Loi Naturelle (1758), and T Rutherford's Institutes of Natural Law (1748), Blackstone focused on the detailed rules of natural law rather than indulging in the philosophical underpinnings of natural law theory as such.
Open Access
Change to the age of majority: general impact and some consequences for the interpretation of wills
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2009-12) Faber, James Thomas; Janse van Vuren, Louis Theunis
On 1 July 2008, the age at which a person attains majority was lowered from 21 years to 18 years. Section 17 of the Children's Act stipulates that : "A child,whether male or female, becomes a major upon reaching the age of 18 years." This change is consistent with the Constitution, which defines a child as a person under the age of 18 years.
Open Access
Close corporations without end. Two remarkable decades of simply 'thinking small first': chronicle
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2007-06) Henning, J. J.
Abstract not available
Open Access
The co-operative as an appropriate form of enterprise for Black Economic Empowerment
(University of the Free State, 2006-11) Schoeman, Nicolene Francina; Snyman–van Deventer, E.; Conradie, M.; De Lange, A.
English: In the South African context, BEE is not only regarded as a moral and social imperative, but also as a legislative one. BEE functions on two levels, namely the creation and sustenance of wealth, and the creation of opportunities, in order to widen the economic sphere. If successful transformation is to be achieved in South Africa, it is of vital importance that practical suggestions for its implementation be investigated. The co-operative has been described by international organisations like the International Co-operative Alliance, as a business enterprise that develops and /or empowers people through self-help. Locally the co-operative both on SMME and large corporate scale has been identified as a potential vehicle to drive the social and economic upliftment of the people of the South Africa. The Co-operatives Act 14 of 2005 was promulgated to give effect to this. Co-operatives have the following characteristics that make them ideally suited to the current South African situation: they are versatile in their application, they are accessible enterprises as initial establishment is cost effective and they are generally easy to establish, they provide both a social and economic function (dual function) to their members, generally apply a one-member-one-vote-system in management thereby promoting democratic principles, and they promote the concepts of individualism and autonomy within their structures. A successful co-operative enhances both individual and collective human dignity and promotes the values of ubuntu, which uplifts people on all levels, thereby complying with both the social and economic aspects of BEE in the creation of opportunities to widen the economic sphere. Furthermore, the cooperative as an enterprise complies with the BEE scorecard as well as with the Codes of Good Practice which were drafted by government in accordance with the provisions of the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003.
Open Access
Combating human trafficking: a South African legal perspective
(University of the Free State, 2010-11) Kruger, Hester Beatrix; Oosthuizen, H.; Verschoor, T.; Stuurman, L.
The transatlantic slave trade has been outlawed for more than 200 years. However, could it be that slavery still exists, but in a modern form, namely that of human trafficking for various exploitative purposes? Investigating the combating of human trafficking from a legal perspective is a relatively new research field in South Africa. Therefore, this study, having identified the gap in research on the current South African legal response to combating human trafficking, strives to make a contribution to the body of research on this issue. The aim of the study is threefold: first, to provide a better understanding of the multifaceted human trafficking crime; secondly, to clarify obligations to combat human trafficking contained in relevant international and African regional instruments; and, thirdly, to analyse the South African legal response for combating trafficking and to assess whether this response complies with the identified international and African regional obligations. The objectives of the research are designed to realise the threefold aim. As regards the first part of the aim, the objective is to describe and clarify important issues relating to human trafficking. This is in line with the reasoning of Gould1 that an in-depth knowledge of the human trafficking phenomenon is vital for the purpose of an effective response. To realise the second part of the aim, the objective is to review the historical development of relevant international and African regional instruments in order to identify, categorise and, as far as possible, synthesise obligations to combat human trafficking. Unlike many other studies, the present study draws obligations and recommended directives and guidelines for combating this crime from the broader framework of instruments relevant to human trafficking, and not only from the landmark treaty on human trafficking, namely the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol). As regards the last part of the aim, the objective is twofold. First, the current South African legal framework applicable to human trafficking is described and analysed. This framework comprises three components: existing general laws that may be applicable to some human trafficking activities; the first trafficking-specific legislative provisions as contained in the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007; and the comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation proposed in the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill (B7-2010). While the first part of the last objective maps out the South Africa antitrafficking framework, the second part compares this framework with international and African regional obligations pertaining to domestic counter-trafficking responses. Finally, based on this comparison, To realise the second part of the aim, the objective is to review the historical development of relevant international and African regional instruments in order to identify, categorise and, as far as possible, synthesise obligations to combat human trafficking. Unlike many other studies, the present study draws obligations and recommended directives and guidelines for combating this crime from the broader framework of instruments relevant to human trafficking, and not only from the landmark treaty on human trafficking, namely the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol). As regards the last part of the aim, the objective is twofold. First, the current South African legal framework applicable to human trafficking is described and analysed. This framework comprises three components: existing general laws that may be applicable to some human trafficking activities; the first trafficking-specific legislative provisions as contained in the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007; and the comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation proposed in the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill (B7-2010). While the first part of the last objective maps out the South Africa antitrafficking framework, the second part compares this framework with international and African regional obligations pertaining to domestic counter-trafficking responses. Finally, based on this comparison,recommendations are made for enhancing the South African legal response designed to combat human trafficking. By realising the threefold aim of the study, the study can, it is submitted, make a valuable contribution to research on combating human trafficking in South Africa from a legal perspective. By making the research available to the legal fraternity, such research may prove useful in litigation, in the training of lawyers, and in future law reform. The study may also be valuable in informing multidisciplinary stakeholders and service providers dedicated to combating human trafficking by contributing to a better understanding of the human trafficking phenomenon. Lastly, the study may be of practical value to other African countries that are in the process of drafting anti-trafficking legislation conducive to the African context. These countries may find some guidance in considering the road travelled by South Africa in the search for comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation.
Open Access
A comparative labour law perspective on categories of appearance-based prejudice in employment
(University of the Free State, 2014-11) Viviers, Damian John; Smit, D. M.
English: Appearance discrimination entails discrimination against persons because of an aspect of their appearance, such as their physical attractiveness, height, weight, manner of dress and grooming styles. It also extends to individuals who elect to alter their appearance by undergoing gender reassignment. Appearance-based discrimination is a prevalent concern in workplaces across the globe, with jurisdictions such as the United States of America, Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, Malaysia, Japan, China and South Africa showing signs of this problem. Employers‘ subconscious appearance preferences seem to filter into their employment decisions, policies and practices, causing employees who do not meet certain appearance standards to suffer discrimination in employment. Employees may also be subjected to bullying, harassment and hostile work environments because of their appearance characteristics. Research indicates that individuals who are physically more attractive as well as taller enjoy preference in the employment realm, while less attractive and shorter individuals are discriminated against and often suffer employment detriment, even when these characteristics are unrelated to the inherent requirements of the job. Employers‘ discretion to impose dress codes and grooming standards (when such criteria are unrelated to the inherent nature of the employment position) in effect curb employees‘ right to freedom of expression via their appearance, as well as their individuality and personal autonomy. Particular considerations in the context of appearance-based discrimination include weight-based discrimination, discrimination against so-called ―trans-employees‖, as well as appearance-related bullying and harassment of employees. Individuals whose body weight deviates from the norm experience significant discrimination in the workplace. Overweight and obese individuals suffer particularly severe employment detriment, as they are assumed to be in ill health, to be lazy and lacking work ethic. Employees who choose to alter their appearance through the process of gender reassignment are equally severely discriminated against in the employment setting. As is the position with the other categories of appearance discrimination, these individuals have little legal recourse that explicitly addresses the nature of the unfair discrimination to which they are subjected. Bullying and harassment of employees because of an aspect of their appearance is another significant concern in employment, with the same limited legal protection currently available to victims. As bullying is not governed or prohibited by law, and the appearance categories fall outside the ambit of the listed grounds of prohibited discrimination, such conduct does not officially amount to harassment either. The global attitude towards appearance discrimination is however beginning to change, and the International Labour Organisation has recognised this problem. Various states in the United States of America and in Australia have started enacting legislation to govern this issue and outlaw appearance discrimination in the employment arena. The judiciaries of these jurisdictions, as well as those in the European Union and South Africa, are also hearing more and more cases in this regard. South Africa still lags behind the rest of the world in dealing with this concern, even though many employees in the country do suffer unfair discrimination, bullying and harassment on the basis of their appearance. Discriminating against employees based on their appearance, without such discrimination being legally justifiable, amounts to unfair discrimination, and violates victims‘ rights to equality and dignity. It also acts as a barrier to equity in the workplace. Harassment and bullying of individuals because of an aspect of their appearance is equally unacceptable, amounting to a dignity violation. Afrikaans: Voorkomsdiskriminasie behels diskriminasie teen persone as gevolg van ‘n aspek van hul voorkoms, onder meer fisiese aantreklikheid, lengte, gewig, klerestyl of persoonlike versorging. Dit geld ook vir individue wat kies om hul voorkoms deur geslagswysiging te verander. Voorkomsdiskriminasie is ‘n algemene probleem in werkplekke oor die hele wêreld, met jurisdiksies soos die Verenigde State van Amerika, Australië, die Verenigde Koninkryk, Europa, Maleisië, Japan, China en Suid-Afrika wat tekens daarvan toon. Werkgewers se voorkomsvoorkeure sypel deur na hul indiensnemingsbesluite, beleide en praktyke, en stel werknemers wat nie aan sekere voorkomsstandaarde voldoen nie, aan diskriminasie bloot. Werknemers word ook dikwels blootgestel aan bullebakkery en teistering op grond van hul voorkoms. Navorsing dui daarop dat individue wat fisies aantrekliker en langer is, voorkeur in die werkplek geniet, terwyl minder aantreklike en korter individue diskriminasie en benadeling in die werksomgewing ervaar, selfs wanneer hierdie eienskappe nie met die kernvereistes van hul werk verband hou nie. Werkgewers se diskresie om dragkodes en versorgingstandaarde neer te lê (waar sulke kriteria nie met die kernvereistes van die werk verband hou nie), beperk inderwaarheid werknemers se reg op vryheid van uitdrukking via hul voorkoms, en lê hul individualiteit en persoonlike outonomie aan bande. Bepaalde oorwegings in verband met voorkomsgegronde diskriminasie sluit in gewigsdiskriminasie, diskriminasie teen sogenaamde ―transwerknemers‖, sowel as voorkomsverwante bullebakkery en teistering van werknemers. Individue wie se liggaamsgewig van die norm afwyk, ervaar beduidende diskriminasie in die werkplek. Oorgewig en vetsugtige individue ondervind veral erge benadeling in die werkplek omdat daar aangeneem word dat hulle siek is, lui is en oor swak werksetiek beskik. Werknemers wat kies om hul voorkoms deur die proses van geslagswysiging te verander, ervaar ewe erge diskriminasie in die werksomgewing. Soos met die ander kategorieë van voorkomsdiskriminasie, het hierdie individue weinig remedies tot hul beskikking wat die onbillike diskriminasie spesifiek hanteer. Afknouery en teistering van werknemers as gevolg van ‘n aspek van hul voorkoms is nóg ‘n beduidende bron van kommer in die werksomgewing, met ewe min wetlike beskerming tot slagoffers se beskikking. Aangesien bullebakkery en teistering nie volgens wet gereguleer of verbied word nie, en die voorkomskategorieë buite die bestek van die gelyste gronde van verbode diskriminasie val, is sulke optrede ook nie (wetlik beskou) teistering nie. Die wêreldwye houding teenoor voorkomsdiskriminasie is egter besig om te verander, en die Internasionale Arbeidsorganisasie het reeds die probleem erken. Verskeie state in die Verenigde State van Amerika en in Australië het begin om wetgewing uit te vaardig om hierdie probleem in die werksomgewing te reguleer en te verbied. Die howe van dié jurisdiksies, sowel as dié in die Europese Unie en Suid- Afrika, hoor ook al hoe meer geskille op hierdie gebied aan. Suid-Afrika is egter steeds agter die res van die wêreld in die hantering van hierdie kwessie, al gaan heelwat werknemers in die land gebuk onder onbillike diskriminasie, teistering en bullebakkery op grond van hul voorkoms. Diskriminasie teen werknemers op grond van hul voorkoms, sonder dat dit wetlik geregverdig kan word, kom neer op onbillike diskriminasie, en skend die slagoffers se reg op gelykheid en waardigheid. Sulke diskriminasie dien ook as ‘n hindernis vir gelykheid in die werkplek. Teistering en afknouery van individue as gevolg van ‘n aspek van hul voorkoms is ewe onaanvaarbaar, en kom op ‘n skending van menswaardigheid neer.
Open Access
Conscientious objection and legal abortion in South Africa: delineating the parameters
(Faculty of Law, University of the Free State, 2003) Ngwena, C.
English: The purpose of this article is to delineate the scope and limitations of the exercise of the right to conscientious objection in respect of participation in abortion procedures under theChoice on Termination of Pregnancy Act. The Act is silent about the right to conscientious objection. However, section 15 of the South African Constitution in particular, implicitly accommodates conscientious objection to abortion. It is submitted that whilst the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act fails to provide the principles for determining the limits of the right to conscientious objection, guidance can be derived from section 36 of the Constitution. It is submitted that section 36 supports the limitation of the right to conscientious objection where maternal life or health is in serious danger or there is a medical emergency. Furthermore, it is argued that in the particular circumstances of South Africa, section 36 is also capable of supporting the imposition of a duty to at least provide the pregnant woman with information about where she might be able to obtain an abortion. It is noted that determining the parties that are entitled to conscientious objection beyond health care professionals that are immediately involved with abortion procedures can raise difficult issues. However, section 36 of the Constitution is, once again, a useful tool for resolving any difficulties in this regard.