Schools, crèches and other institutions working with children have been urged to screen prospective employees against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) before appointing them.
NRSO Registrar Ntombizodwa Matjila says the register is designed to protect children and other vulnerable people from sexual abuse by preventing convicted sex offenders from working in positions of trust.
An NRSO Clearance Certificate may be required for educators, childcare workers, social workers, sports coaches, healthcare workers and volunteers working with children. Institutions are advised to wait for the outcome of the screening before finalising appointments.
Matjila also encouraged parents to ask schools and childcare providers whether employees who work directly with children have been cleared. However, members of the public cannot search the register themselves because it is confidential.
She stressed that NRSO screening should be supported by other measures, including reference and criminal record checks, to ensure the safety and best interests of children.
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