Decriminalise sex work bill back in Parliament years later
The South African Department of Justice is moving to reintroduce a bill to decriminalize sex work to Parliament by 2027. The bill aims to address regulatory concerns that caused a previous version to be withdrawn for redrafting.
Why it matters
Decriminalization is a major human rights and public health issue, as current laws are cited as barriers to healthcare access and safety for sex workers.
Sex workers and activists protested outside Parliament in May 2024, calling for the decriminalisation of sex work to be fast-tracked. Archive photo: Liezl Human
The long-awaited draft sex work decriminalisation bill will return to Parliament for consideration, three years after it was sent back to be redrafted.
Department of Justice spokesperson Samuel Modipane revealed to GroundUp that the draft bill will be sent to Cabinet for a decision “on policy issues” and to “request approval” to put the bill out for public comment.
After years of consultations, the draft Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill of 2022, which includes decriminalising sex work, was withdrawn to be redrafted in 2023.
In June 2025, the (Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce) SWEAT called on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to prioritise the “long-delayed” bill.
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