SWEAT confident sex work will be decriminalised in SA soon

CAPE TOWN - The Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) is confident sex work will soon be decriminalised in South Africa.

SWEAT's legal team on Monday argued for the Western Cape High Court to whittle down the number of legal teams in its case to decriminalise sex work.

The case challenges the criminalisation of sex work as unconstitutional for more than 150,000 sex workers operating in the country.

SWEAT argued that the criminalisation of sex work increased sex workers’ vulnerability to violence and illness, while reducing the likelihood that abuse would be reported to authorities.

All aspects of sex work in South Africa are criminalised, meaning both the selling and buying of sex is illegal. 

SWEAT member Constance Mathe said the NGO was confident that sex workers would soon be operating legally.

"We strongly, strongly believe that the case is in our hands as advocates for decriminalisation."

An amicus hearing for the court to decide whether all 16 "friends of the court" will be allowed to argue in the matter is set to conclude on Tuesday.

Presiding Judge Andre le Grange said the main trial would most likely proceed early next year.