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Johannesburg, 28 April 2023 – Sonke welcomes the conviction of child sex abuse ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman for the crimes he committed. The Gauteng High Court found Ackerman guilty of multiple charges linked to a child sex abuse ring that …
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The issue of criminal records and the expungement process is undoubtedly a complex one, attracting much debate, largely resulting from archaic understandings of criminality. For too long this discourse has been used to rationalise the collective marginalisation of people with …
The Detention Justice Forum (‘DJF’) is a civil society coalition of non-governmental organisations and individuals working to ensure that the rights and well-being of those who are detained are respected and upheld, as enshrined under the South African Constitution, laws, …
n Sunday March 15, President Cyril Ramaphosa finally provided some guidance in relation to the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa. He mentioned several precautionary measures that would be implemented to curb the outbreak, including the imposition of a moratorium on prison visits. At …
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On 3 March 2020, the confirmation proceedings in the case of Sonke Gender Justice v President and Others will be heard in the Constitutional Court. The hearing follows the Western Cape High Court decision of Boqwana J of 5 September 2019, wherein …
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The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) is a civil society coalition of non-governmental organisations and individuals working to ensure that the rights and well-being of those who are detained are respected and upheld, as enshrined under the South African Constitution, laws, …
The Equality Court has ruled that a woman transgender inmate may express her gender identity while incarcerated in an all-male prison. The court ruled, on 23 September, that the inmate is allowed to wear her hair long; wear make-up; wear female clothing …
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On September 5, the Western Cape High Court ruled that South Africa’s national prison oversight body, the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) lacked the requisite independence to adequately protect prisoners’ rights. Many people question whether we should care about …
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South Africa is facing a national crisis: horrific incidents of gender-based violence and xenophobia occur in our homes and on the streets, leading to collective expressions of outrage, an overwhelming sense of injustice, and fear. Such emotions lead to calls …
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Today, on 5 September 2019, the Western Cape High Court handed down judgment in Sonke Gender Justice / President RSA and others. Judge Boqwana declared unconstitutional the provisions in the Correctional Services Act (111 of 1998) which require that the Judicial …
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Today (June 5), South Africans from all corners of this country will march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria against the signing into law of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill and the Traditional Courts Bill. The proposed laws are …
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On 13 December 2016, Sonke Gender Justice and Lawyers for Human Rights filed an application in the Western Cape High Court, citing the government and the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (“JICS”) as respondents. The purpose of the case is …
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On 5 June 2019, Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) as part of the Alliance for Rural Democracy, will march against the signing into law of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill (TKLB) and the passing into law of the Traditional Courts …
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Tuesday, 21 May, marks the day that Dudley Lee died, five years ago. Lee’s name is not known to most South Africans – but it should be. He spent over four years in Pollsmoor Remand prison (1999-2004), charged with various financial crimes, …
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Politicians are once again trying to use capital punishment to get votes.
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Consistent and effective prison oversight is a crucial means to ensure the protection and promotion of prisoners’ human rights. Not only does regular monitoring, inspecting and reporting serve to prevent human rights abuses of prisoners, it also ensures transparency and …
Sexual violence in prisons is a crime. All rape victims deserve acknowledgement, dignity, protection and care.
This case study examines reform that alleviated severe overcrowding and inhumane conditions in Pollsmoor Male Remand Detention Facility (Pollsmoor Remand), a South African incarceration centre for people awaiting trial and sentencing. From the early 2000s, Pollsmoor Remand has been operating …
Sonke is a South African-based non-profit organisation working throughout Africa. We believe women and men, girls and boys can work together to resist patriarchy, advocate for gender justice and achieve gender transformation.
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