Dignity SA to launch court bid to champion assisted dying

Civil society organisation Dignity South Africa is set to outline its constitutional challenge seeking to reshape how South Africa approaches end-of-life care.

Dignity SA's court bid seeks legal clarity on medically assisted dying, arguing current laws may be inconsistent with constitutional rights, including dignity, equality and freedom.

At a media briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday, legal, medical and ethical experts will unpack the arguments behind the case and explain the legal process ahead.

The challenge is framed as a constitutional matter, with Dignity SA emphasising compassion and patient choice at the end of life.

Dignity SA's director, Vuya Kabanyane-Ilengou, said the application would be filed in the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday.

Kabanyane-Ilengou said, "Currently, there is a ban on the blanket common law that says that medically assisted dying is illegal in South Africa, and if anyone performs it, it is treated as cold-blooded murder. So, we're asking the courts to decriminalise that."