WATCH | Malema demands prostitution legalisation — ‘sex workers deserve rights and protection’

Cape Town – EFF leader Julius Malema has urged the government to decriminalise prostitution, arguing that sex workers deserve legal protection and the ability to report abuse without facing disrespect from police.

Speaking at a Women’s Day rally in Mpumalanga over the weekend, he said prostitution is “the oldest profession” and should be recognised as legitimate work with full workers’ rights.

“We are saying to the South African government, you must legalise prostitution. No one is going to be raided by police in the name of being a prostitute. And when she goes to open a case, they can’t open a case because they say this is a prostitute,” Malema said.

“Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. You may be a Christian; whether you like it or not, prostitution is a job and there are people who work in it. Respect those people, they too must have protection and workers’ rights.”

Malema criticised delays in passing the 2022 bill to decriminalise sex work and emphasised the need to protect all women from abuse.

He also called on men to take a stand against gender-based violence, urging them to respect, protect, and provide for women, and to stop using violence against them.