Sterilisation Act, 1998 (Act No. 44 of 1998)2. Persons capable of consenting |
| (1) | No person is prohibited from having sterilisation performed on him or her if he or she is— |
| (a) | capable of consenting; and |
| (b) | 18 years or above. |
| (2) | A person capable of consenting may not be sterilised without his or her consent. |
| (i) | consent is given by a person who is lawfully entitled to give consent; and |
| (ii) | an independent medical practitioner who, before a panel is convened in terms of section 3(2), has consulted with the person to be sterilised and has provided a written opinion to the effect that the sterilisation is in the best interest of that person |
| (3) |
| (a) | Sterilisation may not be performed on a person who is under the age of 18 years except where failure to do so would jeopardize the person’s life or seriously impair his or her physical health. |
| (b) | Section 3(1)(a) and (2) will apply with the necessary changes. |