Legislation intended to tighten child pornography laws and close loopholes was approved in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday.
In terms of the Films and Publications Amendment Bill, the offences of possession, creation and distribution of child pornography will be separated for the purpose of sentencing.
This will allow courts to impose tougher sentences for the more serious offences.
The legislation was approved in the National Assembly in February, and now only has to be signed into law by President Thabo Mbeki.
Among other things, the Bill also makes it an offence not to report a child-porn-related crime if it is known or suspected to have occurred. — Sapa