Department of Health to oppose DignitySA application to legalise medically assisted dying

Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi

The Department of Health will oppose DignitySA’s court application to legalise medically assisted dying in South Africa, while other respondents have been accused of delaying the matter.

Non-profit organisation, DignitySA recently provided an update on their case, which sought to ask the court to declare the current blanket common-law prohibition unconstitutional, unlawful and invalid.

On 9 April 2026, DignitySA lodged an application concerning medical assistance in dying (MAiD) with the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. The application asks the court to declare the current blanket common-law prohibition unconstitutional, unlawful and invalid.

DignitySA asks that the declaration of invalidity be suspended for 24 months so that Parliament can bring the law on MAiD in line with the Constitution and craft legislation appropriate for South Africa.