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Decriminalise Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)


[Update:  08 June 2026] After we lodged the case to decriminalise MAiD with the North Gauteng High Court on the 9th of April, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi, had decided not to oppose DignitySA's landmark constitutional challenge for the legalisation of medical assistance in dying (MAiD). The Minister has indicated that she will abide by the decision of the North Gauteng High Court. Read more on our case here: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-10-the-last-right-dignitysa-approaches-court-over-medical-assistance-for-the-terminally-ill-/

We, the undersigned, support DignitySA’s High Court application to have medically assisted dying (MAiD) recognised as a lawful end-of-life option in South Africa by:

  • Decriminalising assisted dying, declaring its current blanket common-law prohibition unconstitutional and invalid; and
  • Directing Parliament to enact legislation, within 24 months, that includes clear eligibility criteria and effective safeguards.

Why is this important?

Currently, our common law regards MAiD as no different from murder in cold blood. This is quite wrong, on both a personal level and as public policy.

On the contrary, we regard doctors as caring and compassionate when they enable a competent patient, who voluntarily requests assistance with dying on account of unbearable and intractable suffering, because of disease or injury, to die a dignified death.

Hence, with this petition, we wish to show solidarity with DignitySA’s High Court application because we believe that MAiD:

  • Is an act of compassion motivated by basic ethical values of equality, dignity, freedom of choice, and life; 
  • Is a constitutional right grounded in the rights to equality, human dignity, bodily and psychological integrity (which includes the right to security in and control over one’s body) and freedom and security of the person in our Constitution’s Bill of Rights; and
  • Should therefore be recognised as a legitimate medical option at the end of life, or when suffering becomes intractable and unbearable, thus locating MAiD on a continuum with palliative care.


#DecrimMAiDinSA #DignitySA #OurLivesOurChoices

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South Africa

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Updates

2026-07-23 11:05:47 +0200

In a notice, filed on 15 July 2026, the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) indicated that they will abide by the decision of the North Gauteng High Court. The NDPP is the last of the four respondents cited in DignitySA’s court application to make its position known. Its decision means that, together with the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, who declined to oppose the application in May, the two respondents responsible for the criminal-justice dimension of this case will accept whatever decision the court makes. To follow our news, please sign up as a member of DignitySA at https://www.dignitysouthafrica.org/join-us

2026-03-12 11:25:19 +0200

1,000 signatures reached

2026-03-02 14:48:56 +0200

500 signatures reached

2026-02-26 03:20:16 +0200

100 signatures reached

2026-02-25 15:05:11 +0200

50 signatures reached

2026-02-25 14:02:42 +0200

25 signatures reached

2026-02-25 13:00:49 +0200

10 signatures reached