A Bill criminalising the distribution of harmful messages and which imposes an obligation to report cybercrimes, could soon become law.

According to the Select Committee on Security and Justice, the Bill aims to create offences that have a bearing on cybercrime.

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The Bill provides for capacity building and allows government to enter into agreements with foreign states to promote measures aimed at preventing cybercrime.

She said the committee agreed to alter the tone of the Bill to reflect non-binary language, as required by considerations of gender-neutrality, equality, dignity and identity.

Shaikh said the committee agreed to the restructuring of clause 16 of the Bill to specifically "reflect the impact of the considerations" in criminalising the disclosure of messages containing intimate images.