11 November 2025
TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES
PRESS RELEASE
NO EMBARGO
Historic New Bill to Criminalise Apartheid Takes Centre Stage as South Africa Leads Global Fight Against Racial Segregation:
Cape Town, South Africa – In a landmark move echoing the continent’s historic struggle for liberation, a new Private Member’s Bill – the Implementation of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid Bill, 2025 (“the Apartheid Bill”) – is set to be introduced in Parliament.
The Bill, championed by the Al Jama-ah political party on behalf of a powerful secretariat of eight represented political parties, seeks to domesticate the United Nations International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid, which South Africa acceded to on 14 May 2024.
This follows a storied legacy where a strong Secretariat of the Liberation Committee, comprising leading African nations, spearheaded the journey of self-determination and freedom for African countries, culminating in South Africa’s liberation from apartheid in 1994. Now, a new era of accountability begins.
Member of Parliament for Al Jama-ah, Hon Imraan Moosa, acting in accordance with section 73(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (“the Constitution”), intends to introduce the Apartheid Bill Iin Parliament. An explanatory summary of the Bill is hereby published in accordance with Rule 276(1)(c) of the National Assembly Rules (9th Edition).
One hundred and ten States are parties to the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid (“the Apartheid Convention”), which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 30 November 1973, by 91 votes in favour, four against (Portugal, pre-democratic South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States) and 26 abstentions, and came into force on 18 July 1976. The democratic South African government acceded to the Apartheid Convention on 14 May 2024, and the accession came into effect on 14 July 2004.
The draft legislation will create a stand-alone crime of Apartheid distinct from existing provisions under the Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act, 2002 (Act No. 27 of 2002). It will grant extraterritorial jurisdiction to South African courts to prosecute individuals, South African citizens or residents, or persons present in South Africa for apartheid crimes committed anywhere, including in South Africa.
It will require consent from the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) before prosecution. It will designate a High Court to handle such cases, following consultation with the Chief Justice and NDPP. The Bill makes provision for the appointment of a specialist committee to investigate apartheid-related complaints and to make recommendations to the Minister responsible for the Apartheid Bill regarding those complaints.
The Parliamentary timeline for the bill is: Publication: Government Gazette on Friday, 14 November 2025.
Public Comment Period: Opens until 13 December 2025.
The bill will be circulated internationally to encourage signatories of the Apartheid Convention to enact similar legislation.
Al Jamaah is piloting the bill on behalf of the Secretariat, which consists of the following eight parties:
1. African National Congress (ANC)
2. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
3. Good Party
4. National Coloured Congress (NCC)
5. Pan African Congress (PAC)
6. RISE Mzansi
7. UMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP)
8. Al Jama-ah
“The world must not allow apartheid to rear its ugly head again. This bill is a bold step to ensure those who engage in apartheid activities, including PR stunts, face the full force of the law. South Africa’s accession in 2024 reaffirmed its commitment to combating racial segregation and systemic oppression,” said Moosa.
Issued by Asghar Khan on behalf of Al Jama-ah
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