Question NW1205 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
28 April 2022 - NW1205
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Following his engagement with the stakeholders who are activists in the quest for decriminalisation of sex work in the Republic, (a) what were the resolutions of the engagement, (b) how do the resolutions nourish the advocacy for decriminalisation of sex work and (c) what role will he be playing in the quest for decriminalisation for sex work?
Reply:
The South African Law Reform Commission released its Report on Adult Prostitution in 2017. Cabinet, at the time, decided not to make a policy choice at that stage and felt that the issue of the possible decriminalisation of sex work should be further debated. There are various policy and legislative options. In order to take the debate on the possible decriminalization of adult sex work forward, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr John Jeffery, has started a series of consultative meetings with various stakeholders and interest groups. The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has met with representatives of the pro-decriminalization sex work sector and has had similar meetings with other stakeholders who have a variety of views on the matter.
a) No resolutions have been taken as the engagements with stakeholders are ongoing, but the intention is to proceed with the finalization of a Draft Bill by the end of this year.
b) There are no resolutions as the engagements are ongoing, but the engagements with stakeholders seek to elicit a wide range of views on the matter.
c) As mentioned above, the current engagements are being led by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. Once a Draft Bill has been prepared, the Minister will approach Cabinet to seek approval to publish the Bill for public comment.