Legislative review aims to enhance public access to register of sex offenders

JUSTICE and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said a draft amendment bill is undergoing consultation with the intention of making the National Register of Sex Offenders (NRSO) accessible to members of the public.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

MINISTER of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi says she is committed to ensuring a phased and responsible public access to the National Register of Sex Offenders.

(TIMOTHY BERNARD Independent Newspapers)

Kubayi revealed this when she was responding to parliamentary questions from Build One South Africa (Bosa) MP and deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster.

Hlazo-Webster asked whether the department had sought a legal opinion after Kubayi committed to test the constitutionality of making the National Register for Sex Offenders accessible to the public.

The register is currently not open to the public, but is available for the public and private sectors to vet whether someone is suitable to work with children and other vulnerable groups.