A Moral Dilemma For 2010?

Acting prosecutions head Mokotedi Mpshe has questioned "what will happen to our morals" if prostitution in South Africa is legalised for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Stressing that he was speaking in his personal capacity, Mpshe on Monday pointed out that while sex work was still criminalised, "you still see so many of them (sex workers) on the streets".

While stressing that he could not say whether legalising prostitution was "bad or not bad", he stated: "What happens if prostitution is decriminalised? It will become a career - think for yourselves. What will happen to our morals?

"In my opinion, we have to be very, very careful."

Mpshe later told The Star that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) would make submissions to the Law Reform Commission on the possible decriminalisation of sex work. He did not reveal what those submissions would contain.

Speaking at the NPA's second Sexual Offences Indaba at Emperors Palace yesterday, Mpshe repeatedly drew attention to the fact that public hearings would have to take place before any law decriminalising prostitution could be passed.

"The people of South Africa are good enough to know the difference between good or bad," he said.

Mpshe was supported in his cautious stance by the NPA's special director of the sexual offences and community affairs unit, Thoko Majokweni, who stated that it was "important to note that the introduction of new policies and legislation can have unintended consequences".

"The law is seen to be defining the norms of society," she said, adding that it was often better for the government to "err on the side of caution" in terms of how it implemented its policies.

Mpshe and Majokweni's comments come after newly appointed Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane last week said she would keep an open mind about recognising "the oldest profession".

"We must begin to appreciate that commercial sex work is an industry here in Gauteng. We must deal with it objectively and with an open mind."

She reportedly added that, with proper management, a "conducive" environment could be created in which "it does not become something that can embarrass us".