South Africa: Call for comment on amendments to sexual offences legislation
On 9 December 2022, Cabinet approved the publishing of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related matters) Amendment Bill, 2022 for public comment.
The Bill will repeal the Sexual Offences Act of 1957 and section 11 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007 in order to decriminalise sex work by consenting adults.
The Bill also proposes that the criminal records of adults who were previously convicted of rendering, engaging, or receiving sexual services be immediately expunged.
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, stated that the Bill aims to minimise human rights violations against sex workers by enabling them to freely access reproductive healthcare, encouraging safe labour practices, and minimising discrimination and stigma.
The deadline for comments to be sent to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s Chief Directorate: Legislative Development is Tuesday, 31 January 2023.
- The call for comments can be accessed here.
- The Bill can be accessed here.
- Comments can be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 012 406 4632, or sent via post addressed to the Director-General: Justice and Constitutional Development, Private Bag X 81, Pretoria, 0001. Marked for the attention of Tsietsi Sebelemetja.
Please note: The information contained in this note is for general guidance on matters of interest and does not constitute legal advice. For any enquiries, please contact us at [email protected].
