THE ladies of the night don’t know if they should laugh or cry.
With the decriminalisation of sex work they should be celebrating, but most say more still needs to be done.
The Department of Justice and Correctional Services said existing laws, including residence for foreigners and municipal by-laws, would still need to be respected.
As most sex workers are without papers, many say their lives will not change. Daily Sun spoke to a few about the news that the sex trade will be legalised.
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A woman who identified herself as Nurse, originally from Zimbabwe, said they will pay endless bribes because they don’t have papers.
“Even clients might take advantage and not pay us because they will also know we don’t have permits,” she said.
Nurse said that the department should let them do the work.
“South Africans don’t want this job. We don’t steal, but use our bodies to make money,” she said.
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Another sex worker (32) said she was happy to hear about the new bill, but she doesn’t understand how it will work.
“I am afraid we will still be working in secret and in dark places. We are making a living here, and we hope we don’t get arrested.”
During a media briefing on Friday,9 December, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said criminalising sex work has not stopped the selling or buying of sex.
“If anything, it has led to higher levels of violence against sex workers.”
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The department gazetted the Criminal Law Amendment Bill for public comment.
According to the department, the new bill will decriminalise the sale and purchase of adult sexual services.
Lamola said the bill has a specific focus on the protection, safety and justice of women in South Africa.
“The National Strategic Plan contains a list of key interventions. One of the key activities is the finalisation of the legislative process to decriminalise sex work,” he said.
