South Africa sex work decriminalisation bill to return to Parliament

The draft Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill, which includes the decriminalisation of sex work, is set to return to the South African Parliament. The bill was previously withdrawn in 2023 for redrafting following concerns from state law advisers regarding a lack of regulation.

Department of Justice spokesperson Samuel Modipane stated that the draft will be sent to Cabinet for a decision on policy issues and to request approval for public comment. The bill is expected to be published in the Gazette for consultation this year, with a potential introduction to Parliament in 2027.

While advocacy groups such as SWEAT and the Asijiki Coalition have welcomed the progress, activists note that the long delay has left sex workers vulnerable to stigmatisation and police targeting. In the interim, the National Prosecuting Authority issued a directive last year stating that sex workers would not be prosecuted pending the outcome of a legal challenge against criminalisation.