Sex work could soon be decriminalised, and finally abacimbizi can be protected. For years sex workers have complained that the government does not care about their safety and the work that they do but now it seems there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Cabinet has approved the publishing for public comment of a Bill aimed at the decriminalisation of the sale and purchase of adult sexual services. Once the bill is approved abacimbizi will be protected from exploitation as well as abuse within their industry.

NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED

A sex worker called Slender, who has worked in the streets for more than ten years, said this was a relief to her. She said this kind of hustling isn't for the faint hearted and if you're not street wise, you will not survive. "I've learned to use a knife because no one  protects us. People come to us for services and then refuse to pay. Some even go to the extent of robbing us the money we made from other customers which is just frustrating,"she said. Slender added that they provide a good service yet they are taken for granted.    "We service officers, paramedics, private bankers and they are guaranteed to be in good mood which is beneficial to so many people. So why are we not protected?"she asked.

PUBLIC COMMENT

She said they were treated badly by the police when they report cases and social workers when they need counselling because of the brutality they are faced with almost everyday. The new Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill, which would see sex work decriminalised, has now been published for public comment. The criminal status of sex work makes it difficult for those in the industry to turn to the police in their times of need because of the way they are treated.In 2017, the South African Law Reform Commission released its report on adult sex work. However, Cabinet felt that the issue needed to be further debated.