Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Ian Cameron MP.
The DA has written to the Acting National Commissioner of Police calling for urgent answers after insiders have informed the DA that Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) may be sitting with up to 50 000 crime scene DNA samples awaiting processing, and a further 200 000 to 250 000 Reference Index samples reportedly backlogged, severely delaying criminal DNA processing.
We are also informed that some analysts have started downing tools because their bi-annual statutory medical surveillance has allegedly not been conducted for more than two years.
DNA evidence directly affects rape, murder, GBV and repeat schedule 8 offender investigations. When samples are not processed, detectives are weakened, prosecutors are left with poor evidence, suspects are not linked to crimes, and victims wait longer for justice.
These concerns appear to confirm and further strengthen issues recently raised by the DNA Board before the Portfolio Committee on Police regarding forensic capacity, DNA processing and the impact of backlogs on criminal investigations.
The DA does not believe that every operational failure should immediately be aired in public. In most cases, matters should first be raised directly so that the system has an opportunity to respond. But when DNA evidence in rape, murder and GBV cases is reportedly piling up while analysts are not receiving required medical surveillance, silence would itself become a serious miscarriage of justice.
The DA is calling for the Acting National Police Commissioner to act urgently on this matter.
His first step should be a meeting of forensic experts and key stakeholders to critically assess the situation, interrogate the true backlog numbers, identify the blockages, and develop a realistic turnaround strategy.
All relevant stakeholders should be involved, including SAPS Forensic Services, the DNA Board, occupational health experts, detectives, prosecutors and independent forensic experts.
SAPS must now confirm:
1. The current backlog of crime scene DNA samples, including samples still awaiting registration.
2. The current backlog of Reference Index samples, including samples still awaiting registration.
3. Whether any DNA processing lanes are operating below capacity or have stopped functioning.
4. Whether it is correct that only one crime scene sample per case is being processed in certain instances, instead of the usual two to four samples, and if so, why.
5. Whether service contracts for critical DNA processing equipment are in place.
6. Whether equipment breakdowns are affecting DNA processing capacity.
7. When bi-annual statutory medical surveillance was last conducted for analysts working in the relevant forensic environment.
8. What immediate steps SAPS is taking to protect analysts, restore full laboratory capacity and reduce the backlog.
Victims need justice. Detectives need tools. Analysts need protection.