Public Release of the National Register for Sex Offenders

Women For Change welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, that the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) will be made public by the end of February 2025. This long-overdue decision marks a significant step towards accountability and transparency in South Africa’s ongoing fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).

This move directly aligns with one of the key demands in our recently launched petition, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare GBVF a national disaster. More than 10,000 individuals have signed the petition in just over a week, demonstrating the urgency and public demand for action.

For too long, South Africa has lacked accountability—perpetrators walk free, repeat offenders remain hidden, and survivors are silenced. The public release of the NRSO is a necessary step toward shifting this reality.

Why Does A Public National Register for Sex Offenders Matter?

Increased Accountability
Public access to the registry ensures that those who have committed sexual crimes are known and held accountable, reducing their ability to offend again without consequence.

Safer Communities
Parents, schools, employers, and organisations working with vulnerable individuals will have access to crucial information, creating safer environments for children and communities.

A Powerful Deterrent
Knowing their names will be made public, potential offenders may think twice before committing sexual crimes. The risk of exposure and societal consequences could help prevent repeat offences and future harm.

Challenges to Address

Ensuring Proper Implementation
For the registry to be effective, it must be accurate, regularly updated, and easily accessible. Outdated or incomplete records could lead to misinformation, limiting its impact.

Survivor Protection
While public access is essential for safety, measures must be in place to prevent retaliation or intimidation against survivors who report their abusers. Their safety and privacy must remain a priority.

Impact on Families of Offenders
The public listing may result in stigma and social exclusion for children and family members of offenders despite them having no involvement in the crime.

For too long, survivors have lived in fear, while offenders have remained protected by secrecy. They have been re-victimised, silenced, and forced to endure lifelong trauma, while abusers have walked free without consequence. It’s time to shift the narrative – protect survivors, not perpetrators. Public access to the NRSO is a critical step toward ensuring transparency and protecting communities, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. Women For Change will closely monitor its implementation and hold the government accountable to ensure this registry is properly maintained and enforced.

While this is progress, far more must be done to end the GBVF crisis. We will continue to fight for urgent, systemic change – because every woman and child in this country deserves safety and justice. SIGN OUR PETITION!