On-going cases
MALAWI: CHALLENGING CRIMINALISATION OF ADOLESCENT SEXUALITY...
SALC is working with Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) – Malawi in a challenge to the law of defilement in s138 of the Penal Code,inasfar as it criminalises consensual sex between adolescents in Malawi. It is illegal to have sex with a girl under the age…
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Eswatini: Challenging the Refusal to Register an Advocacy Group...
In September 2019, Eswatini’s Registrar of Companies refused to register the organisation Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM). The Registrar argued that ESGM’s purpose was unlawful because same-sex sexual acts are illegal in the country. ESGM and its members filed…
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JONATHAN DUBULA QWELANE V SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AND ANOTHER...
On 7 May 2020, the Constitutional Court will hear the case of Jonathan Dubula Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission and Another (case no: 13/20). The Constitutional Court will decide whether section 10 of the Promotion of Equality and…
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Nigeria: Challenge to arbitrary arrest of women during sweeping exercises...
Factual Background At 11pm on 22 February 2017, the Joint Task Force broke down the doors of the homes of the applicants, assaulted them, indecently searched them, took the money they had on them, and then arrested and detained them.…
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REVOCATION OF VISA TO A CONVICTED DUTCH WAR CRIMINAL: AUGUSTINUS MARIA KOUWENHOV...
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre has filed an application requesting the Western Cape High Court to cancel the visa of convicted arms trafficker and war criminal Augustinus Maria Kouwenhoven. Kouwenhoven has been resident in South Africa since December 2016. He…
Read More SALC seeks cancellation of visa of convicted Dutch war criminal and fugitive fro...
SALC has filed an application to cancel the visa of convicted Dutch war criminal and fugitive from justice, Guus Kouvenhowen. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre has filed an application requesting the Western Cape High Court to cancel the visa of…
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Eswatini: Challenge to the Common Law Marital Power and Marriage Act...
SALC is working with Women and Law in Southern Africa’s Swaziland chapter (WLSA-Swaziland) on a case challenging the common law marital power and the Marriage Act of 1964. Under the common law marital power, a married woman cannot conclude contracts…
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Botswana: Challenging Criminalisation of Same-Sex Sexual Relationships...
In September 2016, a gay man, filed an application challenging the constitutionality of sections 164(a), 164(c) and 165 of the Botswana Penal Code. These provisions criminalise same-sex sexual acts between consenting persons. The man seeks an order that the continued…
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Zambia: Challenging the enforcement of the offence of defamation of the Presiden...
The offence of defaming the President has been used far more in Zambia over the past decade than in many other countries. This is a great cause of concern and requires clear statements from the courts which would narrow the…
Read More Nigeria: Challenge to arbitrary arrest of women during sweeping exercises...
Factual Background The applicants were among 71 women who were arrested at various public spaces in Abuja between 17 and 26 April 2019. The arrests were carried out by the FCTA Joint Task Team comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Securities…
Read More SWAZILAND: A CHALLENGE TO THE CUSTOMARY PRINCIPLE OF MALE PRIMOGENITURE...
SALC is working with Women and Law in Southern Africa’s Swaziland chapter (WLSA-Swaziland) on a case challenging the customary principle or practice of male primogeniture for being inconsistent with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland Act No. 001 of…
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Zambia: Challenging the taking over of customary land and allocation to commerci...
SALC is supporting four residents (Petitioners) of Senior Chief Muchinda in Serenje District of the Central Province of Zambia. In 2015, the Petitioners were approached by an investor and commercial farmer who claimed that he owned the land the Petitioners…
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