South Africa Delays Release of National Sex Offenders Register Amid Privacy and Safety Debate

Makhosazana Radebe

A court, gravel, handcuffs, and law books

Image credit: X@SAPoliceService

The South African government has postponed the public release of the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO), leading to a chain reaction of debates centered around balancing the protection of people and upholding constitutional rights. The delay, announced by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi in February, comes after mounting pressure from civil society groups with opposing views on public access to the registry.

Minister Kubayi told Parliament the postponement was necessary to "strike a careful balance" between public safety and individual rights. Furthermore, the Information Regulator of South Africa put its full support behind this delay, stating that vulnerable people should be protected. however, in a rules-based society such as South Africa, such action must fall within the confines of the law

The Department of Justice confirmed that additional legal safeguards are being drafted to prevent misuse of the registry, including provisions against vigilante actions. Currently, the legislation providing for the compilation, maintenance, and dissemination of the NRSO prohibits its publication.

Media expert, Gugu Madonsela, expressed her concerns that the delay signals a troubling lapse in transparency and accountability. “With South Africa facing a severe gender-based violence (GBV) crisis- one of the world's worst- a public registry could equip communities, schools and organizations to spot known risks. The legal argument for protecting offenders’ privacy though valid, feels misaligned when survivors endure lasting trauma and systemic loopholes allow repeat offenders to slip through. Public demand for openness is clear, evidenced by the Build One South Africa’s (BOSA) petition, nearing 20,000 signatures, and voices like Marilyn Scheepers, who question why convicted offenders’ names remain confidential while court rulings are public,” said Madonsela.

A study conducted by the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) revealed that over 16,000 teachers in South Africa have a criminal background. Mother and child protection advocate, Nokuthula Setjchaba said, “As a parent you are constantly worried about your children. I fear for my child and my nephews and nieces every day. I think the vetting system for teachers needs to be mor strict.”

Community leader, Joseph Maphike says, “We need information in order to protect the people in our communities.”

The NRSO, established under the 2007 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, currently allows only employers in sectors involving children or vulnerable persons to vet employees. Expanding public access raises complex issues:

Vigilantism: Countries such as the United States of America have experienced vigilantism through the publication of their registry.

Countries like the U.S. and the U.K. have faced legal challenges over public sex offender registries. In contrast, Sweden restricts access to law enforcement, focusing on rehabilitation.

The Department of Justice has not set a new release date but says they are reviewing the legislation to ensure that the law is followed to its fullest capacity.

As South Africa grapples with one of the world’s highest rates of gender-based violence, the NRSO debate encapsulates a larger struggle: how to balance collective safety with individual rights. The government’s decision will set a precedent for justice, accountability, and rehabilitation in the country.