Ramaphosa finally issues a proclamation on sexual offences courts

Staff Reporter

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday issued a proclamation on the commencement of a legislation which would see the establishment of dedicated Sexual Offences Courts in South Africa.

The move is set to bring relief and justice to survivors of gender-based violence in South Africa.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khusela Diko, said in that ‘the new legislation provides these courts to have certain facilities and measures in place to render services that will better protect complainants, enhance the quality of prosecutions and evidence to be given in sexual offence cases, minimise secondary trauma for complainants.’

“These focused services are intended to make it easier for complainants to report offences and to give evidence in trials, as a means of deterring potential offenders from breaking the law,” said Diko in a statement.

“The commencement of the legislation is a significant development in the context of the government’s implementation – in partnership with