In a major policy shift, the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) will be made publicly accessible by February 2025, following sustained pressure from public interest groups. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, confirmed the decision, which has been met with both support and caution.
The move comes in response to alarming statistics on gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa. A national study by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), released on 18 November 2024, found that 33.1% of women aged 18 and older—approximately 7.3 million women—had experienced physical violence in their lifetime. Additionally, 9.9% of women—around 2.1 million—had suffered sexual violence. These figures highlight the urgent need for stronger protections against sexual offenders.
The NRSO, established in 2007 under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, records individuals convicted of sexual offences against children and mentally disabled individuals. Employers in both the public and private sectors are legally required to screen potential hires against the register when employing individuals to work with vulnerable groups. Those listed on the register are also prohibited from fostering or adopting children.
While advocates hail the move as a victory for transparency and safety, concerns remain over privacy rights and potential misuse. As the implementation deadline approaches, stakeholders continue to debate how to balance public access with legal safeguards.
