Note to editors: the President’s written reply to the parliament question can be accessed here.
As we approach Women’s Day this Saturday 09 August, it is more than a bromide to say that South Africa’s persistently high levels of gender-based violence and sexual abuse demand urgent, systemic intervention. It is mission critical.
It is therefore highly unfortunate that the President of the Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa, has refused to reveal if any Ministers or Deputy Ministers in his government are on the National Register of Sexual Offenders (NRSO).
In a written reply to a parliamentary question posed by Build One South Africa (BOSA) Leader, Mmusi Maimane MP, the President also flatly refused to commit to screening any of his Cabinet Ministers or Deputy Ministers against the NRSO.
He stated that “Members of the Executive do not fall within this category”, referring to empowering legislation prohibiting people on the NRSO from being employed in a manner that places them in a position to work with or have authority or supervision over or care of persons who are vulnerable.
The NRSO was established to ensure that individuals convicted of sexual offences are not placed in positions of authority, supervision, or care over vulnerable persons. To suggest that Cabinet members, who hold considerable executive power and thus a high duty of care, are exempt from this responsibility is regrettable.
This failure of accountability begins with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), because Ministers and Deputy Ministers are first elected as Members of Parliament. Yet the IEC does not screen candidates against the National Register for Sex Offenders or other criminal conviction records before elections, as confirmed by the IEC in official correspondence with BOSA.
BOSA calls for urgent reform. The IEC must be mandated to vet all candidates before they take office. Parliament must close this loophole without delay. It is unacceptable that those with the most power face the least scrutiny.
South Africans deserve to know if any of the 32 000 people on the NRSO live in their street, teach their children, or work in their organisation. How much more, then, do they have a right to know whether members in the highest echelons of government are sex offenders?
It is unconscionable that those who wield state power, travel with VIP protection, and live in taxpayer-funded luxury are not subject to even the most basic checks required of teachers, social workers, or security guards.
BOSA reaffirms its call that all Ministers and Deputy Ministers must be screened against the NRSO before appointment. There must be zero tolerance for sexual offenders in public office.
The public has the right to know whether anyone listed on the NRSO is sitting at the Cabinet table, shaping laws and with access to trillions of rands of public funds.
The fight against Gender-Based Violence begins with accountability, and it must begin at the very top of government.
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons – BOSA Spokesperson – 072 299 3551