This after the amendment had been approved by the Cabinet in November last year.
Comments by the public are to be submitted before 12pm on 3 February. The amendment seeks to impose a two-year age gap between children aged 12 and 16 who engage in penetrative sex, which in terms of current legislation could lead to charges of statutory rape being laid.
In other words, if children between 12 and 16 engage in penetrative sex and if this amendment is enacted then the sexual act will not be criminalised but be seen as sexual experimentation. If the age gap between the children who engage in the sexual act is greater than two years, as proposed by the amendment, then charges of statutory rape may be laid against the offender.
Other notable amendments proposed are: Any person who is listed on the sex offenders register and who applies for a job will be required to inform the prospective employer of the listing; that a court of law can decide whether or not a child’s name should be included in the sexual offenders register; and to allow for the removal from the sexual offenders register any persons details before the stipulated time has expired.
Details: To comment on the amendment email cbalie@parliament.gov.za.
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