South Africa: Sex Offenders Registry to be Made Public
The National Sex Offender Registry in South Africa is set to become publicly accessible by the end of February 2025, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to combating sexual offenses. This decision, announced by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi earlier in February, follows years of advocacy by activist groups pushing for greater transparency and accountability. The registry, which lists individuals convicted of sexual offenses, aims to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children and the mentally disabled, by making information about offenders more accessible to the public.
While the move has been welcomed by many as a step toward safer communities, concerns have been raised about its potential effectiveness. Advocate Bronwyn Pithey from the Women’s Legal Centre pointed out that low prosecution and conviction rates for sexual offenses in South Africa may limit the registry’s impact. She described the decision as “performative,” emphasizing that without addressing systemic issues in the justice system, the registry alone may not lead to meaningful change. Additionally, there are worries about the potential stigmatization of offenders’ families and the need for the registry to be comprehensive and free of errors to serve its intended purpose.
Back in time this happened
“The British penal system transported about 162,000 convicts from Great Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia between 1788 and 1868”.
The registry is moving ever closer to something like that each time they add more and more, so called “non-penal” conditions to our already overburdened lives. Several people on the registry have given up and taken their own lives or decided to purposely violate registry requirements because prison was a better option for them.
I have heard from several people who have told me, being in prison was easier for them than living in society and the numerous ways you could get arrested for something no other group of people could be arrested for. (Violating registry laws, rules and ordinances).
The statement about it serving it’s intended purpose is not an issue IMO. It’s intended purpose is never ending continuously active punishment. That purpose it will not miss I can guarantee you that.