In short
Consensual sexting between adults is legal in South Africa. Sharing someone's intimate image without consent, whether it is real or "simulated", is a crime under section 16 of the Cybercrimes Act and can carry up to 3 years in prison. Sexual images of anyone under 18 are child sexual abuse material.
The Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020
Maximum penalty: a fine, up to 3 years in prison, or both.
The Act defines an intimate image as a depiction of a person, real or simulated, who is nude, whose genitals or anal region are shown, or (for women) whose breasts are shown. Including "simulated" images means sharing edited or AI-generated nudes of a real person is likely to be covered. The person's consent to the image being taken, or to receiving it, is not consent to it being shared further.
Under section 17, anyone who helps, encourages or instructs someone else to share an image commits an offence too. Re-sharing or forwarding an image someone else leaked can also be a crime.
Related sections of the same Act cover messages that threaten people or property (section 15) and messages that incite violence (section 14). These can apply to sextortion threats.
The Films and Publications Act
The Films and Publications Amendment Act 2019 made it an offence to share private sexual photos or films of someone without their consent, with intent to cause them harm. Higher penalties apply where the victim can be identified. The Film and Publication Board can also order online content to be taken down.
Unsolicited sexual images
South Africa doesn't have a specific cyberflashing offence. Sending someone explicit material they didn't ask for can be harassment, for which victims can get a protection order under the Protection from Harassment Act 17 of 2011. Sending it to a child is an offence under the Sexual Offences Act.
Under-18s
Where to get help in South Africa
- SAPS: 10111 in an emergency, or report at your local police station
- Film and Publication Board: to report harmful content and request takedowns
- GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428
- Childline South Africa: 116
- StopNCII.org: blocks adult images from spreading on major platforms
Need help right now?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK), 112 (Ireland/EU), 911 (US/Canada) or 000 (Australia).
- Images shared or threatened (adults, UK): Revenge Porn Helpline, revengepornhelpline.org.uk or 0345 6000 459
- Stop images spreading (worldwide, adults): StopNCII.org
- Under 18: Childline's Report Remove tool at childline.org.uk or call 0800 1111. Outside the UK: Take It Down
- More countries and services: see our help and support directory
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and depend on the facts of each case. We last checked this page on 9 November 2026. If you are facing a police investigation or court case, speak to a solicitor or lawyer where you live.