Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000

{{Short description|2000 South African anti-discrimination law}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox legislation

| short_title = Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000

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| long_title = Act to give effect to section 9 read with item 23 (1) of Schedule 6 to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, so as to prevent and prohibit unfair discrimination and harassment; to promote equality and eliminate unfair discrimination; to prevent and prohibit hate speech; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

| citation = [http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/2000-004.pdf Act No. 4 of 2000]

| territorial_extent = Republic of South Africa

| enacted_by = Parliament of South Africa

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| date_assented = 2 February 2000

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| date_commenced = 1 September 2000 / 16 June 2003

| bill = Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Bill

| bill_citation = B57—1999

| bill_date = 25 October 1999

| introduced_by = Penuell Maduna, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development

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| amended_by = Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Amendment Act, 2002

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| status = in force

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The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act, 2000 (PEPUDA or the Equality Act, Act No. 4 of 2000) is a comprehensive South African anti-discrimination law. It prohibits unfair discrimination by the government and by private organisations and individuals and forbids hate speech and harassment. The act specifically lists race, gender, sex, pregnancy, family responsibility or status, marital status, ethnic or social origin, HIV/AIDS status, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth as "prohibited grounds" for discrimination, but also contains criteria that courts may apply to determine which other characteristics are prohibited grounds.{{cite web |url=http://www.justice.gov.za/EQCact/docs/2011eqc-a5-booklet.pdf |title=Stand and defend your right to equality! |publisher=Department of Justice and Constitutional Development |date=2008 |access-date=30 August 2011}} Employment discrimination is excluded from the ambit of the act because it is addressed by the Employment Equity Act, 1998. The act establishes the divisions of the High Court and designated Magistrates' Courts as "Equality Courts" to hear complaints of discrimination, hate speech and harassment.