SA moves closer to making sex offenders register public
South Africa could soon make the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) publicly accessible for the first time under a major policy shift.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced a major policy shift that could make South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) publicly accessible for the first time.
She confirmed during a recent parliamentary Q&A that her department is drafting legislative amendments to expand access to the register beyond its current limited scope.
Currently, the law prohibits publishing the register’s contents unless a court orders it or for the implementation of the Act.
“There must be a law of general application that authorises the limitation of the guaranteed rights of persons whose names have been entered in the registers,” Kubayi stated.
The proposed change aims to improve the safety of vulnerable groups, especially children, by empowering schools, daycare centres, and care institutions to vet potential employees and volunteers more effectively.
Legislative Reforms Underway
Officials have already prepared a draft amendment bill and are conducting internal consultations.
They plan further discussions with South Africa’s Information Regulator to ensure compliance with data protection and privacy laws.
After completing this process, they will table the bill in Parliament for debate and possible approval.
Expanded Access and Faster Processing
Kubayi announced that her department will boost the Registrar’s office’s operational capacity to speed up the processing of NRSO access applications.
This move will enable a smoother rollout of access for approved institutions.
To support the initiative, the Justice Department is partnering with the Departments of Basic Education, Police, and Higher Education.
These partnerships will coordinate safe hiring and monitoring practices across sectors that work with children and other vulnerable groups.
Balancing Rights and Safety
While the move is largely welcomed by child protection advocates, Kubayi stressed the importance of balancing the public’s right to safety with the constitutional rights of individuals listed on the register.
“The solution must respect both legal obligations and our moral duty to protect the vulnerable,” she said.
If passed, the bill would mark a historic moment in South Africa’s fight against sexual violence, potentially opening the way for greater transparency and accountability in protecting at-risk populations.