The National Sex Offenders Registry: Offenders’ Right to Privacy v The Safety of Potential Victims
Posted: 3 June, 2024 Filed under: Livhuwani Malelelo | Tags: convicted sex offender, gender-based violence, National Register for Sex Offenders, NRSO, POPIA, potential victims, pursuit of justice, right to privacy, sex offender, sexual crimes, sexual crimes against children, victimisation 1 Comment
Author: Livhuwani Malelelo
LLB candidate, University of Johannesburg
The National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) is a list of convicted sexual offenders and although South Africa has an alarming rate of gender-based violence, this list only contains the names of offenders of sexual crimes against children and mentally disabled persons, meaning that the main purpose of this registry is to protect children and mentally disabled persons from these types of offenders. This list is not open to the public but is only open to institutions such as preschools, schools, hospitals etc so they can check if an employee or potential employee is a convicted sex offender. This is so as to protect the offenders right to privacy. Unfortunately, the NRSO seemingly prioritises the right to privacy of the offenders instead of protecting potential victims of said offender.
A year on: Thulani Maseko’s unforgiving legacy in The Kingdom of Eswatini
Posted: 22 January, 2024 Filed under: Lakshita Kanhiya | Tags: #JusticeForThulani, assassination, call for democracy, democratic reforms, Eswatini, human rights, monarchy, oppressive laws, police brutality, pursuit of justice, Tanele Maseko, Thulani Maseko, unchecked state violence Leave a comment
Author: Lakshita Kanhiya
Human Rights Advocate
Twelve months ago, within the silent confines of his home, Thulani Maseko, a valiant advocate for human rights in Eswatini, was mercilessly assassinated before his family’s eyes. His crime? Speaking truth to power and daring to challenge the oppressive laws and unchecked state violence in the Kingdom. Reflecting on this tragic event not only underscores the absence of accountability for Thulani’s murder but also emphasises the urgent call for democracy amid the persistent fear of assassination that lingers in the air. At the heart of Africa’s struggles lies the fractured relationship between democracy and human rights, where the rule of law should stand as an unwavering guardian. Thulani Maseko, through his advocacy, embodied the essence of these principles and in reflecting on his tragic demise, it becomes apparent that Eswatini is at a crossroads, grappling with the repercussions of his absence and the persistent suppression of dissent by an unyielding monarchy.
AfricLaw 