Law Focus - Decriminalization of Sex Work

We discuss the decriminalization of sex work. Selling sex in South Africa has been illegal since at least the early 1900s and buying sex was criminalized in 2007. The country’s laws also prohibit other aspects of sex work, including running or owning a brothel, living off the earnings of “prostitution,” and enticing a woman into “prostitution.” The criminalization of sex work has not deterred people from selling sex to make a living, it has, however, made sex work less safe. We speak to Katlego Rasibetse from Sisonke National Sex Workers Movement and Motebang Mokoena from Legal Aid. wits.journalism.co.za