Chair, Cope recognises that sexual violence perpetrated on children is increasing. Every time we hear and read about missing children, we pray that our children will be found safe and sound. Sometimes - in most cases - this does not happen. We also recognise that the amending Bill seeks to provide a deterrent to these gruesome acts.
Cope supports the report for the following reasons: The purpose of the National Register of Sex Offenders is to record names of those found guilty of sexual offences against children. Chapter 2 of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, section 35(3) states that every accused person has the right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Mhlalingaphambili, ukuhlonyelwa kwalo Mthetho kuza kuncedisa ukuba xa umntu edlwengule, waxhaphaza waze wabulala, asiwe emthethweni, abanjwe, agwetywe emva koko afakwe kuluhlu lwabadlwenguli. Loo nto iya kumenza ukuba abenebala eluntwini. Enkosi. [Kwaqhwatywa.] (Translation of isiXhosa paragraph follows.)
[Chairperson, the amending Bill will assist in recording names of sex offenders in the National Register of Sex Offenders if a person has been found guilty of rape, child abuse and murder. That will leave him with a stigma in the community. Thank you. [Applause.]]