Malema Urges Public Release of National Sex Offenders Register

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called for the National Sex Offenders Register (NSRO) to be made public, particularly after the alleged rape of a seven-year-old girl named Cwecwe at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape.

Speaking at the EFF’s Land Reclamation Day event on Sunday, Malema argued that those convicted of heinous crimes, such as child rape, should forfeit their right to privacy. He emphasized that the public nature of such crimes means the names of convicted rapists should be easily accessible. “The day that b****** raped, that is the day he gave away his own privacy. Because the court is a public court. The name is already public. We just don’t know where to find it,” Malema stated. He called for the names of convicted rapists to be posted online so they could be easily found, adding, “When they google your name, it must just say rapist.”

Malema stressed the need to protect children at all costs, stating, “We need to permanently deal with these people who are victimising our children. We must protect our children at all costs. Because if we cannot protect our children, then we must forget about the future of South Africa. These children are going to inherit this country.”

In the aftermath of the case, IOL reported that Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi delayed the release of the NSRO, which was initially scheduled to be made public by the end of February. On March 1, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development announced the postponement due to legal rules surrounding confidentiality. Ministry spokesperson Terrance Manase explained that the department is reviewing legislation to allow reforms, particularly those that restrict public access to the register, and that a phased approach will be taken to make it more accessible.

Manase added that institutions working with children will have access to the register first, with broader access to employers planned later. Meanwhile, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu provided an update on the investigation, revealing that three persons of interest have been identified, with DNA samples taken for analysis.

The case has prompted a multi-agency response, involving the Ministries of Police, Social Development, Justice, and Education, along with law enforcement bodies. Mchunu confirmed that the case has been transferred to the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), and an investigation is ongoing.

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Sourced:IOL