Johannesburg, South Africa – A bill proposed in South Africa in 2022, which aimed to address unlawful โคtrespassing, is once again circulatingโ online with claims it favors criminals over propertyโ owners. Teh resurfaced claims, spreading via social media, allege the legislationโ would prevent homeowners fromโ defending themselves against intruders.However, โthe Ministry ofโ Justice hasโ confirmed the bill was abandoned and isโข no longer under consideration.
The proposed “Unlawful Entry on Premises Bill” drew scrutiny from โindustry โฃbodies and legal professionals whenโฃ first introduced. AgriSA initially described the draft law as “promising” but called for further clarification, โคexpressing concern over a requirement for landowners to request trespassers to leave, deeming it potentially perilous. They alsoโข highlighted a loophole where โขcompliance with a landowner’s requestโข would preclude charges against โขthe trespasser,arguingโ individuals should be “arrested โand โcharged accordingly.” โThe Law Society of south Africa proposed excluding instances of housebreaking, considered a separate crime, and broadening the โdefinition ofโค “unlawful entry.”
Public comment on the bill closed on September 16,โข 2022.
Responding to the renewed attention, Justice Ministry spokesmanโ Terrence Manase stated on September 10, โค2025, that posts suggesting โthe billโค prevents self-defense are “false and misleading.” He affirmed the bill was “set aside โขand is no longer under consideration,” and will not be processed further. manase attributed the confusion to โข”outdated content” and urged citizens to rely on official interaction channels for accurate details.