DA to submit objections to PEPUDA Bill
18 June 2021
The DA strongly objects to the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Amendment Bill (PEPUDA) which seeks to amend the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000.
We have been invited to make comments on this Bill by 30 June 2021 and will use this as an opportunity to object to the Bill. After an in-depth study of the Bill, the DA has the following fundamental problems with it:
Expanded Definition and Removal of Requirement of Intent
The DA is concerned that the amendments to the definition of ‘discrimination’ and the removal of ‘intent’ will have unforeseen far-reaching consequences whereby individuals might break the law either without knowing they have done so, or without ever intending to do so. The current definition of ‘discrimination’ in PEPUDA is simply too broad and will overwhelm South Africa’s already overburdened justice system.