Delay in giving public access to sex offenders register

GEORGE NEWS - The debate over public access to the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) has recently intensified due to concerns over the rising number of gender-based violence (GBV) cases and the need for greater transparency to be able to protect children and vulnerable individuals.

The NRSO was scheduled to be made public by the end of February, but this has been delayed.

The register remains restricted, accessible only through a formal application process to vet individuals seeking employment involving children and other vulnerable groups. The government says the delay is because of privacy rules in the Sexual Offences Act. However, critics believe these rules make it harder to protect communities from repeat offenders.

Local organisation Legally You, which works closely with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in George and surrounding areas, believes that public access to the NRSO is a significant step towards enhancing safety and accountability.

"We see first-hand the impact of sexual violence in our communities," says the founder of Legally You, Advocate Marilyn Scheepers Olifant. "Giving the public access to this register will empower individuals, employers, and organisations to make informed decisions that protect the vulnerable."

Angelique Vezasie, a GBV counsellor at a local NPO, Smoking and Alcohol Harms Alleviation and Rehabilitation Association (Sahara), says that if it is lawfully and responsibly approached, making the NRSO a public document can be a powerful tool.

"As someone who has been working with child victims of sexual offences for the past 14 years, I am excited about the direction in which the NRSO is heading. It can be a powerful tool in ensuring the safety of our communities, especially when it comes to the protection of our children and vulnerable persons."

Sahara provides support groups and free medication for harmful substance use in community clinics in George and surrounds. They have a comprehensive youth wellness programme that focuses on strengthening protective factors in communities to decrease HIV incidence, substance use, unwanted pregnancy, and violence.

Three-phase approach

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi recently outlined a three-phase approach to making the NRSO publicly accessible.

The first phase involves a legal review process, ensuring compliance with South Africa's legal framework, including data protection regulations such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia).

The second phase aims to grant direct access to institutions working with children, including schools, early childhood development (ECD) centres, and regulatory bodies like the South African Council for Educators (SACE).

The final phase will extend access to employers across various sectors, allowing them to screen potential employees for past sexual offences.

Advocate Marilyn Scheepers Olifant