The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has failed to respond to a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application seeking critical information about South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO), despite its own extended deadline having expired on 20 June 2026.
Action Society submitted the PAIA application on 9 April 2026, requesting information about the operation, accuracy and completeness of the register, as well as government’s plans to make it publicly accessible. More than two months later, and after being granted an additional 30 days to respond, the Department has remained silent.
The lack of transparency comes as public pressure continues to mount. Action Society’s campaigns calling for the publication of the NRSO have now attracted more than 15 000 signatures and submissions from South Africans demanding greater transparency and stronger protection for children.
This includes more than 11 000 signatures on Action Society’s petition calling for the publication of the register, as well as 4 015 submissions through the organisation’s Dear Minister campaign.
“Parents cannot access the register. Government refuses to publish the register. Government now refuses to answer basic questions about the register. The secrecy continues,” said Juanita du Preez, National Spokesperson for Action Society.
“South Africans are being asked to trust a system they are not allowed to see, question or verify. That is simply not good enough when the safety of children is at stake.”
Among the information requested by Action Society are records reflecting:
- The total number of individuals currently listed on the NRSO;
- The number of pending entries awaiting inclusion;
- The total number of sexual offence convictions over the past 10 years;
- Any discrepancies between convictions and entries on the register;
- The processes and timeframes governing the inclusion of offenders on the register;
- Internal audits or assessments relating to the accuracy and completeness of the register;
- Government’s plans and timelines to make the register publicly accessible; and
- Correspondence relating to concerns, objections, risks or delays surrounding its publication.
Action Society says the Department’s continued silence raises serious questions about whether the register is being maintained effectively and whether all convicted sex offenders are being captured as required.
“If government is confident that the register is accurate, complete and serving its intended purpose, there should be no reason to withhold this information from the public,” said du Preez.
“Parents are unable to check the register. At the same time, government refuses to disclose how many offenders are listed on it, how many entries may still be outstanding, or whether there are gaps between convictions and registrations. These are not unreasonable questions. They are essential questions.”
Action Society maintains that the publication of the NRSO remains a critical child protection measure and says government must stop treating information relating to convicted sexual offenders as though it belongs behind closed doors.
“The growing support for our campaigns shows that South Africans want transparency, accountability and meaningful action to protect children,” said du Preez.
“The Department’s failure to respond does not make these questions disappear. If anything, it makes them more urgent.”
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