FEATURE
New laws strengthen the fight against GBV P
resident Cyril
minor, a disabled person
consider threats of
Related Matters) Amend-
Ramaphosa has
or an elderly person can
violence made against
ment Act, outlaws sexual
signed into law
be examined in proceed-
the complainant and the
exploitation and grooming
ings,” says the President.
complainant’s view of
of persons with mental
their own safety, adds the
disabilities, says President
President.
Ramaphosa.
three pieces of legislation that are expected to bolster
The Act also provides
the fight against gender-
for the extended use of
based violence (GBV).
evidence through an
The legislation will
If the court is not con-
It also provides for
audio-visual link, which
vinced that exceptional
sexual offences against
strengthen the criminal
not only helps protect
circumstances exist that
persons who are mentally
justice system, promote
witnesses from harm but
warrant release on bail,
disabled to be recorded
accountability across the
also prevents unreason-
bail must be denied.
in the National Register of
state and prioritise sup-
able delays.
Sex Offenders
“The new Criminal and
cantly tightens up our bail
Related Matters Amend-
regime. A prosecutor who
ment Act protects the vul-
does not oppose bail in
nerable from secondary
designated cases must
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act
victimisation by allowing
have their reasons placed
The second piece of legis-
in this respect, and have
courts to appoint interme-
on record,” he explains.
lation, the new Criminal
been sentenced
Law (Sexual Offences and
to terms longer than 18
port for GBV survivors.
diaries through which a
28
“The new law signifi-
The court must also
“Those who have been convicted of sex crimes against children or mentally disabled persons, have previous convictions
Public Sector Manager • February 2022
