SISONKE National Movement joined sex workers in a march outside the Department of Justice and Correctional Services in Tshwane on Thursday, 13 July.
Oupa Shumeni, chief executive officer of The Healing Hands, said Gauteng supports the decriminalisation of sex workers.
"We want a safe environment for our sex workers. We do not want sex workers to be killed. We want them to be able to work under normal circumstances like any other person," he said.
Movement spokeswoman Yonela Sinqu said the memorandum addresses the level of violence against sex workers, among other issues.
She said Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola's bill covers two areas, namely the removal of existing criminal records of sex workers who admitted their guilt and paid fines while working.
The movement said it was not happy with the government's doubtful decision-making regarding the decriminalisation of sex work in Mzansi.
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"The bill means more years of having to work in the cruel conditions promoted by the criminalisation of sex work," Singu said.
"The continuous stigma, discrimination and dehumanisation of cases also means that we will continue to live in fear of being murdered, raped and brutalised by the community and the police.
"As a movement, we have been patient enough for five administrations to discuss the decriminalisation of sex work."
Human rights advocate Mmapaseka Steve Letsike said their message is clear.
"We know already the Minister of Justice has made a commitment. We do not want this process to be delayed any further because the longer we do not have policies that protects, fulfils, and makes sure that people can work freely, human rights continue to be violated," she said.
She said six sex workers were arrested in West Rand two weeks ago.
"We are asking the police not to arrest our people. This colonial legacy law is not our human rights law that we want in this country," she said.
The memorandum was received and signed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's acting deputy director-general, Advocate Lloyd Lots.
