Page:Immorality Act 1957.djvu/1

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Act No. 23 of 1957.

Act

To consolidate and amend the laws relating to brothels and unlawful carnal intercourse and other acts in relation thereto.

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(English text signed by the Governor-General.)
(Assented to 3rd April, 1957.)

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Be it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate and the House of Assembly of the Union of South Africa, as follows:―

Definitions.

1. In this Act, unless the contest otherwise indicates–

(i)

“brothel” includes any house or place kept or used for purposes of prostitution or for persons to visit for the purpose of having unlawful carnal intercourse or for any other lewd or indecent purpose; (ii)

(ii)

“coloured person” means any person other than a white person; (vi)

(iii)

“court” means the court or jury before whom the charge is brought; (iv)

(iv)

“house” includes a dwelling-house, building, room, out-house, shed or tent or any part thereof; (v)

(v)

“owner” includes any person who lets or sub-lets or permits the occupation of any house or place whether in his own right or that of another; (iii)

(vi)

“place” includes any field, enclosure, space, vehicle, or boat or any part thereof; (viii)

(vii)

“police officer” means any member of any police force established under the authority of any law; (ix)

(viii)

“unlawful carnal intercourse” means carnal intercourse otherwise than between husband and wife; (vii)

(ix)

“white person” means any person who in appearance obviously is or who by general acceptance and repute is a white person. (i)

Keeping a brothel.

2. Any person who keeps a brothel shall be guilty of an offence.

Certain persons deemed to keep a brothel.

3. The following persons shall for the purposes of section two be deemed to keep a brothel:

(a)

any person who resides in a brothel unless he or she proves that he or she was ignorant of the character of the house or place;

(b)

any person who manages or assists in the management of any brothel;

(c)

any person who knowingly receives the whole or any share of any moneys taken in a brothel;

(d)

any person who, being the tenant or occupier of any house or place, knowingly permits the same to be used as a brothel;