Non-profit organisations Women for Change and Operation Bobbi Bear said they support calls to make the National Register of Sexual Offenders (NRSO) public, arguing that it would deter offenders, promote accountability and enhance community vigilance.
Build One South Africa (Bosa) has launched an online petition, to make the register public, saying “ease of access to such information is crucial to the security and well-being of our communities, particularly the most vulnerable among us”.
Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, Bosa’s deputy leader, said in a statement that currently, access to the register is restricted and involves a lengthy procedure that entails paying a fee of R150 and enduring a waiting period of at least six weeks.
“Making the NRSO public will be a significant step towards deterring sexual offenders and those who abuse women, and holding them accountable. Increased transparency in this area will also promote community vigilance, aiding in the fight against sexual abuse and gender-based violence,” said Hlazo-Webster.
The NRSO is a database managed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that records individuals convicted of sexual offences against children or mentally disabled persons.
This register, established in 2007, aims to prevent offenders from working with vulnerable populations.
It contains personal and contact details of offenders, as well as information about their convictions. Over 32 000 offenders are on the register.
Access to the register is restricted, and the information it holds cannot be publicly disclosed as that may violate the right to privacy. Employers and other relevant authorities can request clearance certificates to verify if a person’s details are on the register.
Women for Change supports making the NRSO public, emphasising the high rate of rape in South Africa and the low conviction rate for offenders.
Sabrina Walter, the organisation’s chairperson said making this information accessible is crucial to protecting women and children, who are the most vulnerable to such crimes.
“The sad reality is that many perpetrators do not fear being caught or sent to jail for long periods. With a conviction rate lower than 7%, the majority of offenders may never face justice, leaving them free to harm others.
“We continue to see murderers and rapists being granted bail or released early on parole. How many more children and women need to be abused and slaughtered until our government takes serious action?
“In a country where more than 40 000 rapes are reported to the police annually, we believe that transparency is a step toward accountability and a safer society for all of us,” said Walter.
Eureka Olivier of Operation Bobbi Bear, acknowledged the potential benefits of public access but expressed concerns about misuse of information. She suggested controlled access for specific entities like schools and NGOs.
“I have never seen this Register, I don’t even know where it is, so I agree with them (Bosa) in a sense.”
The Mercury