Justice says work is under way on Bill amid Ian Cameron’s campaign to name convicted sex offenders
The Justice Department says work is under way on a draft Bill that could change public access to South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders, as Ian Cameron’s 30-day naming campaign reaches its halfway point.
The Department of Justice is developing a draft Bill that aims to enhance access to the National Register for Sex Offenders, according to officials. The initiative coincides with police portfolio committee chairperson Ian Cameron's 30-day campaign to publicly identify convicted offenders, which has reignited discussions around current access restrictions.
Cameron has publicly listed the details of multiple offenders, including notorious cases like Mortimer Saunders and Leano Vergotine. The Department has confirmed that legal changes are being drafted, but emphasized they cannot comment on the specifics until the Bill is finalized. The current law keeps the register confidential, limiting public access only through specific applications by vulnerable institutions.
Opinions on the matter vary, with some supporting broader access for more vigilant protection, while others caution against the risk of "public punishment" and the inability of the register to prevent unreported incidents.
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