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south african law reform commissionlatest news & developments
In his 2025 State of the Nation address the president promised improved healthcare access and infrastructure. (Photo by Guillem Sartorio/Getty Images)
AARON MOTSOALEDI SPECIAL INVESTIGATING UNIT

Will mediation stop dodgy lawyers from milking the health department?

South Africa spends too much money on medical malpractice lawsuits and wants to pursue new ways to settle cases out of court

  • Zano Kunene
8 min read
When courts dismiss violence on the basis of occupation, the message is clear: sex workers’ lives matter less.
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Sex work decriminalisation postponed

While some lobbyists have welcomed the delay, others believe it will have negative consequences

  • Eunice Masson
5 min read
Anyone can be accused of witchery, but older women in South Africa’s rural areas are the most common victims. (Delwyn Verasamy)
NATIONAL HOUSE OF TRADITIONAL LEADERS

Perils of missing teeth and wrinkles: Will a new law curb witch hunts?

In some rural communities of South Africa, physical signs of ageing such as wrinkled skin and yellowing eyes are taken to mean that person is a witch

  • Christina Pitt
7 min read
Saying no to the decriminalisation of sex work does not defend the dignity of any adult who chooses to sell sexual services.
ADULT PROSTITUTION REPORT

The government is finally listening to sex workers

They need to be able to work in a legal system that does not punish them for making a living

  • Rebecca Walker
  • Jayne Arnott
  • Megan Lessing
  • Constance Mathe
  • Sally Shackleton
10 min read
Sex workers march in Cape Town in support of sex work being legalised. An amendment to the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Bill proposes this but not everyone agrees. (Brenton Geach/Gallo Images)
CRIMINAL LAW

Anti-trafficking, human rights groups to reject amended sex trade bill

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill will boost the industry and trafficking and drive it underground

  • Eunice Masson
8 min read
If sex work continues to be criminalised, sex workers will continue to be forced to work in unsafe, abusive and dangerous conditions. Photo: David Harrison
DECRIMINALISATION

Defending a prostituted person’s dignity starts with saying ‘no’ to full decriminalisation

Re-opening of South Africa’s prostitution law reform debate makes the mistake of assuming it is work and not exploitation.

  • Stefanie Kotze
7 min read
The Special Investigating Unit has a year to track down lawyers and patients who file fake medical negligence claims
HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The plan to stop SA’s fake medical negligence claims

The Special Investigating Unit has a year to track down lawyers and patients who file fake medical negligence claims

  • Christina Pitt
14 min read
Aside from the economic benefits, urgent decriminalisation is needed to ensure constitutional rights of the country’s estimated 153 000 sex workers. (John McCann/M&G)
PROSTITUTION

Ten reasons why South Africa must decriminalise sex work

Aside from the economic benefits, urgent decriminalisation is needed to ensure constitutional rights of the country’s estimated 153 000 sex workers

  • Karabo Mokgonyana
8 min read
Child porn: ‘The heart of darkness’
ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Commission proposes tightening South African laws to protect child pornography victims

The South African Law Reform Commission has also called on police to fast-track the establishment of a victim identification database, and link it to Interpol

  • Lyse Comins
4 min read
It’s more important than ever that anyone getting married, whether in a traditional ceremony, at the magistrate’s court or in church, should consult an attorney to help explain the options and draft a legally binding agreement that will suit the couple’s particular circumstances
CONSTITUTION

No room for the state in a marriage

A major review of South African marriage law is underway and we must ensure that the proposed reforms reflect the democratic values of our pluralistic society

  • Liesl Pretorius
5 min read
Zuma also delivered what appeared to be a veiled threat to the current ANC leadership
ADOPTION

Donor sperm and eggs: How much should a child know?

The Law Reform Commission is examining the rights of donor-conceived children to learn their donors’ identity, but what would a new system look like?

  • Staff Reporter
4 min read
Drilling for water in the Karoo where one major concern from fracking is that groundwater will be affected in the shale gas extraction process.
SOUTH AFRICAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION

Dozens of gynaecologists are expected to shut down this year. This could stop that.

"We are closer to a solution than we have ever been," says medical body Sasog

  • Joan Van Dyk
8 min read
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION INSTITUTE

FXI wants better protection for confidential sources

FXI asks SA Law Reform Commission to investigate amending the CPA to introduce a "shield law" to protect confidential journalistic sources.

  • Staff Reporter
3 min read
PROSTITUTION

Pride and prostitution

Legal moves to make the streets safer for adult prostitutes are under way. Ilham Rawoot reports

  • Ilham Rawoot
4 min read
ALEC FREUND

Media challenges Divorce Act

The Constitutional Court has reserved judgement on a ban prohibiting journalists from reporting on divorce cases, a media report said on Friday. Earlier this year, the Cape High…

  • Staff Reporter
2 min read
BRIGITTE MABANDLA

SA a human-trafficking hot spot, conference hears

South Africa is being used as a destination and transit point, as well as a source, for human trafficking, the International Association of Women Judges was told at a conference…

  • Staff Reporter
3 min read
GERALDINE FRASERMOLEKETI

NACF concerned that public servants escape charges

Over 700 financial misconduct cases were reported to the Public Service Commission over the 2005/2006 financial year, with 81% of implicated employees being found guilty, the…

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read