The National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) will be accessible to the public by the end of the month.

Experts have welcomed the move, saying it is a significant step towards ensuring the safety of vulnerable groups, such as children and women.

The NRSO currently has 32 501 ‘active offenders‘ convicted of sexual offences, with an additional 10 325 individuals under consideration for inclusion.

Also read: Sex offenders register must name perpetrators of intimate partner violence and femicide — Lifeline director

Study reveals shocking results

A recent study revealed that over 16 000 teachers in South Africa have criminal records, ranging from sexual offences to murder.

Durban human rights advocate and social activist Siyabonga Nzimande also applauded the decision.

“This is a monumental victory for advocacy groups that have tirelessly fought for transparency and accountability to protect our children and communities,” he said.

Nzimande described the study revealing over 16 000 teachers with criminal records as deeply alarming. “For too long, we’ve had little insight into the backgrounds of those who pose a danger to our communities.

“In cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, we know the names and stories of the victims, but too little about the perpetrators, many of whom remain free among us.

“The accessibility of this register is a crucial tool that will empower families, educators, and community members, enabling them to make informed decisions about the safety of their children.”

However, advocacy groups caution that the register’s effectiveness hinges on its implementation.

Not all sex offenders automatically added to NRSO

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi announced that the register, which lists sexual offenders and perpetrators of GBV, will be made available to the public by the end of February.

“When someone is convicted of a sexual offence in court, a secondary process must be completed to add them to the register. This involves obtaining an ‘order for inclusion’.

“The 10 325 cases pending are those awaiting finalisation of this order, after which they will be added to the register,” said Kubayi’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase.

He added that the register is updated in real-time and maintained electronically through the department’s integrated case management system.

Also read: 290 sexual offenders face the might of the law

Action Society, an organisation that has campaigned for years to make the NRSO public, said its efforts have finally paid off. “Until now, parents in South Africa had no way to check if the people they trust with their children have a history of sexual crimes.

“That is going to change now. Action Society’s argument has always been that privacy laws shouldn’t protect perpetrators of sexual crimes, and we are pleased that the pressure has paid off,” said spokesperson Juanita du Preez.