“Work Is Work”: Mzansi Reacts to Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill Heading Back to Parliament
- South Africa’s draft bill to decriminalise sex work is heading back to Parliament after years of delay
- The National Prosecuting Authority has already stopped prosecuting sex workers while a separate court case continues to unfold
- Sex worker groups say the delay has left workers vulnerable to police harassment, abuse and unsafe conditions
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South Africa’s long-delayed bill to decriminalise sex work is finally returning to Parliament. It comes nearly three years after the draft was withdrawn for redrafting back in 2023. The Department of Justice confirmed the update to GroundUp News in a report published on 17 August 2026.
According to the report, spokesperson Samuel Modipane said the draft bill will now go to Cabinet. Cabinet must first approve policy issues before public comment can properly begin. The bill is expected to be published in the Government Gazette later this year.
Court case and prosecution moratorium
The bill covers the Criminal Law Sexual Offences Amendment introduced back in 2022. State law advisers had flagged missing regulations before the bill stalled in 2023. Sex worker group SWEAT pushed the justice department to prioritise the delayed bill.
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The National Prosecuting Authority has already stopped prosecuting sex workers for now. That moratorium began last year while a separate court challenge continues. Sex workers first launched that legal case back in May 2024.
Activist groups say the current laws leave sex workers open to abuse. Many report harassment from police and unsafe conditions inside brothels. Immigrant sex workers face even greater risks under the existing system.
Groups like Asijiki and Sisonke have welcomed the bill’s renewed momentum. They say decriminalisation would finally offer sex workers real legal protection. Officials say the bill will likely be introduced to Parliament in 2027.
Until then, the existing laws against sex work in South Africa still apply. Activists say they remain hopeful this timeline finally holds this time.
See the TikTok report by Newsroom SA who also reported on the story below:
SA reacts to the news
Kim Mofokeng said:
“Sex work is work.”
🪖Militant ⚛️ Atheist wrote:
“How to reduce crime ? Make more things legal. How to increase the matric pass rate? Lower the pass mark. Genius. 😂”
xorms noted:
“Sex work is valid work. That being said, in an environment like South Africa, decriminalising sex work could make trafficking easier. It's a tricky situation; I hope all the factors have been considered.”
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Source: Briefly News
