Question No. 288
Mr MH Hoosen (Independent Democrats) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether her department has, in terms of section 45(1) of the Criminal Law
(Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, Act 32 of 2007, applied for clearance certificates for all educators from the Registrar of the National Register for Sex Offenders; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the total number of educators whose particulars are contained in the register and (b) how often does her department apply to the registrar for clearance certificates for educators?
Reply:
1. My department has not, in terms of section 45(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, Act 32 of 2007, applied for clearance certificates for all educators from the Registrar of the National Register for Sex Offenders. The reason for not applying for clearance certificate is that the office of the Registrar for the National Register for Sex Offenders is currently capturing court orders that have been issued since June 2008. These orders are with regards to sexual offences committed by employees working directly or indirectly with children.
Only when the electronic capturing of court orders has been completed, will the office of the Registrar for the National Register for Sex Offenders start screening the orders in relation to which department the offenders are employed.
Thereafter, the relevant departments will be contacted and supplied with clearance certificates application forms that they have to complete on behalf of those employees that have committed sexual offences and returned to the above mentioned office.
b. Not applicable
c. Not applicable
Issued by: Department of Basic Education
3 July 2009
Source: Department of Education (http://www.education.gov.za/)
