South Africa had some of the world’s toughest restrictions, which saw more than four hundred thousand arrested for not wearing masks, consuming alcohol and breaking curfew, among other violations.
Those who admitted guilt and paid fines will now have their records cleared.
The bill broadly welcomed by South Africans, has to be approved by the National Council of Provinces, and then signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Judicial Matters Amendment Bill gained broad political support when it was debated in parliament.
The opposition African Christian Democratic Party, which supported the bill, highlighted how having a criminal record affected some people’s chances of finding jobs.
