The National Register for Sex Offenders (NSRO) is set to go public on 28 February, as part of government’s steps to hold perpetrators of sexual violence accountable, according to Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.
The NRSO was established under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, No. 32 of 2007. It is a record of names of those found guilty of sexual offences against children and people who are mentally disabled.
Speaking at a gender-based violence awareness campaign earlier in February, Kubayi expressed concern that many offenders of sexual violence remain unknown. “The reality is that many offenders remain unknown to their communities, particularly in institutions like schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, where they could be placed in direct contact with children,” she said.
According to the justice minister, government implemented three steps before the public release of the list. The first phase entailed a review process where legal experts and institutions, together with the Office of the Information Regulator, engaged to ensure the publicising of the list complied with South Africa’s legal framework, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act.
The next phase entailed granting institutions that work directly with children (such as schools, ECD centres, etc) access to the NSRO. This to ensure that convicted offenders are not placed in positions where they handle or care for children. The third phase entailed expanding the access of the list to employers across various sectors so that employers could check the NRSO before hiring individuals.
Kubayi also mentioned that the government intends to upgrade 100 district courts to offer services tailored for survivors of domestic abuse.
During his State of the Nation Address in February, President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated the government's ongoing commitment to combating the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.
"Ramaphosa said the government continues to intensify its fight against GBV and femicide, describing the scourge as the country’s second pandemic. 'We have promulgated the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act, establishing a national structure to oversee a coordinated response to this crisis. We will ensure that the Council is fully functional and properly resourced,' the president said in his speech.
He also mentioned that the government is strengthening support for victims of gender-based violence. "There are now 65 Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country. Out of 52 districts in the country, 44 have GBV shelters. All police stations in the country have victim-friendly services, and another 16 sexual offences courts will be established in the next financial year," he said.
According to a 2022 study by the Human Sciences Research Council, close to 40% of women in South Africa are victims of physical or sexual abuse.
The study, released in November, revealed that nearly 1.3 million women in South Africa were abused over 12 months. Children were also victims of these crimes.
While the scourge of gender-based violence against women and children continues to increase in South Africa, government says it is making strides in convicting perpetrators of GBVF. To date, the National Prosecuting Authority, out of the 517 femicide prosecution cases it has says, 475 perpetrators were convicted. Out of 386 intimate partner violence cases, the NPA has managed to convict 356 perpetrators. Out of 4,627 sexual offences cases, 3,460 cases were successfully convicted.
WATCH: Kubayi explains who'll get sexual offenders register first
Video courtesy of Newzroom Afrika.
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