Schools, crèches 
and other institutions that care for children must screen prospective employees before placing them in positions of trust, said National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) Registrar Ntombizodwa Matjila.
The NRSO is a confidential database established under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007. It records the details of people convicted of sexual offences against vulnerable persons. The NRSO falls under the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
“The primary purpose of the Register is to protect vulnerable persons from sexual abuse. It prevents people convicted of sexual offences against these groups from working with, supervising or having authority over them.”
She added that the Register was not intended as additional punishment, but as a protective mechanism aimed at preventing abuse.
An NRSO Clearance Certificate may be required for educators, lecturers, Early Childhood Development practitioners, childcare workers, social workers, sports coaches, religious leaders, healthcare workers and volunteers at children’s homes.
“The certificate confirms whether or not a person’s particulars appear in the National Register for Sex Offenders,” Matjila explained.
Before making an appointment, schools and other institutions should inform applicants that clearance will be required. Once a preferred candidate has been identified, the candidate or employer may apply for clearance.
The prescribed Form 7 (J738) must be completed and signed. The application must include the reasons for the request, a certified copy of the applicant’s identity document or passport, and a SAPS 69(i) fingerprint report obtainable from a police station. The applicant's postal or physical address, telephone number and email address must also be provided.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development verifies the applicant’s details against the Register. If the person is not listed, a certificate confirming this, is issued. If the person is listed, the certificate will indicate this.
Institutions should wait for the outcome before finalising an appointment. Where a person is listed on the Register, the institution should not appoint them to work with children in circumstances prohibited by law.
Matjila urged parents to ask schools and childcare providers whether employees who work directly with children have NRSO clearance certificates. However, parents cannot search the Register themselves because it is confidential and may only be accessed by authorised persons.
She stressed that NRSO clearance is only one part of safeguarding children. Employers should also conduct reference checks, criminal record checks where appropriate, and follow sound recruitment practices.
“The best interests of the child must remain at the centre of recruitment decisions,” Matjila concluded.
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