More than 13 months after government first committed to making the National Register of Sexual Offenders (NRSO) public, the process remains stalled and far from completion.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has revealed in response to BOSA’s parliamentary question that the process remains incomplete with no final legislation, no confirmed constitutional opinion, and no implementation timeline.
In early 2025, the Minister of Justice publicly indicated that the National Register for Sex Offenders, established under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007, would be made accessible by the end of February 2025. That deadline has long passed.
The Minister’s reply now confirms that government is still conducting internal reviews of the legislation and engaging in stakeholder consultations. They have not so much as obtained a legal opinion from the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser on the constitutionality of making the register public.
In effect, 13 months on, the process remains at a preparatory stage. This delay is unacceptable.
BOSA’s longstanding position is that South Africans have a right to know if any of the 32 000 offenders listed on the NRSO live on their street, teach their children, or work in their organisation.
South Africa continues to face a serious crisis of gender-based violence and sexual offences. The NRSO is a critical safeguard intended to protect children and vulnerable persons, yet government has failed to prioritise the reforms required to make it accessible in a timely and constitutionally sound manner.
The truth is that offenders often reoffend, with many committing further violence against the same victims. South Africa faces one of the highest rates of recidivism in the world. Nine out of ten ex-offenders reoffend after release. We can reduce this number which creates a dangerous cycle that leaves communities, and particularly women, vulnerable.
BOSA believes that government must account for the repeated delays since the original commitment was made and present a clear, time-bound plan to finalise amendments and implementation.
BOSA will continue to monitor the legislative process closely, mobilise public support, and hold government accountable until the Register is fully open and accessible.
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons
BOSA Spokesperson
072 299 3551