The SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory is facing a critical DNA backlog exceeding 140 000 cases, causing delays in the justice system and concerns about the ability to prosecute criminals.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu's office said they were aware of the backlog and said more intervention had to be done to restore the speed of forensic testing.
His spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said: “There are a number of key enablers which have been identified by the Ministry as critical tools in the fight against crime and the attainment of effective and efficient policing. One of the key enablers identified as the Ministry is the improvement of our forensic services and we are addressing the shortcomings which have resulted in the backlog of DNA processing.”
Mchunu’s office was responding to Ian Cameron, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police’s call for the Office of the Auditor General to conduct a full forensic audit into the police’s DNA processing and forensic laboratories as well as contract management within the division.
Cameron said there were a few police officers trained to take buccal samples and the delay meant more criminals were back on the streets, terrorizing already traumatised communities, deeming it a crisis and that forensic equipment had expired.
The police’s main provincial laboratory is located in Plattekloof with additional work being done at the Tygerberg and Observatory Forensic Science Laboratory.
Irate community policing forums and court watchdogs said the backlog was the nail in the coffin for cases, which were often either struck off the court roll or provisionally withdrawn, referencing a murder and attempted murder case at the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate's Court, which has waited for 11 months for forensic evidence.
"This perpetual crisis happens despite the concerted efforts made by the 6th Parliament committee and assurances that the situation was improving and that the backlog would be erased," Parliament’s communication services said.
"This crisis is a direct threat to an effective criminal justice system that is able to process and prosecute criminals and efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV).
“The revelation of the backlog, longstanding challenges with accommodation for laboratories, the low number of police officers trained to take buccal samples and inability to manage contracts to ensure that they are renewed timeously all contribute to this perpetual problem."
Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, said she called on the commissioner to step in.
“We cannot further compromise our ability to prosecute criminals and fail victims of crime. I will also engage our Provincial Commissioner on the issue to determine the impact of this mismanagement on the people of the Western Cape,” she said.
Bianca van Aswegen, a criminologist and national coordinator of Missing Children SA, said the backlog had a devastating impact on missing persons cases as unclaimed bodies piled up in mortuaries.
“There are many unidentified bodies that end up in mortuaries all over South Africa that might link to a missing person.
"We see that many of these unidentified bodies end up being pauper buried and get lost in the system.
"With proper DNA testing and as per the new biometric system testing the link of an unidentified body and a missing person can be made, and a family can get their closure.”
Bernard Pieters, head of community activation at Cape Forum, said: "This situation is nothing short of a national disgrace for South Africa! Furthering diminishing the country’s already tainted image on an international scale and also local trust in government. The SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory’s ongoing failure to clear the DNA backlog—now exceeding 140 000 cases—proves that mismanagement, incompetence, and blatant disregard for justice have become the norm within our policing structures."
Anti gender-based violence organisation, Ilitha Labantu, said they demanded urgent action, as history was repeating itself.
“If real progress was being made, we would not be seeing a repeat of the same crisis from 2021.
"How can we claim to be making meaningful progress when the backlog keeps growing, and survivors continue to be denied justice?
“Even more concerning is the revelation that service contracts for forensic equipment have expired, tenders remain unrenewed.”
Linda Jones of the Mitchell’s Plain United Residents Association, the Mitchell’s Plain Community Policing Forum and Court Watch said the delay impacted cases that were often struck off the roll.
“While you sit in court, many cases are postponed due to the chain of evidence and DNA outstanding, this is disheartening,” she said.
“We had one case last month which is attempted murder and murder where they are waiting 11 months and another of ten months with no movement
“They need to build more forensic labs.”
Cape Argus