DNA backlog in South Africa sitting at over 81 000
The DNA backlog in South Africa’s crime labs has grown by 70 000 since June 2021 and currently sits at over 81 000.
Reports have revealed that the country’s crime labs’ DNA backlog has grown by 70 000 cases since June last year.
Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee (PPC) on police questioned the Authority of the National Forensic Oversight and Ethics Board (DNA Board). The PPC wanted answers about the DNA Board’s statistics.
PPC remains unimpressed by the DNA Board
Chairperson of the PPC Tina Joemat-Pietersen ordered the DNA Board to appear again.
Joemat-Pietersen stated that there was a long list of dates when the Board said it was going to eradicate the backlog.
“And I have a long list of all the dates and when you told us when that you’re going to eradicate the backlog. You’ve given us information. Your information contradicts itself because we did an analysis of what you have been telling us. I’ve consistently asked that you do not come to this committee to mislead us,” said Joemat-Pietersen.
The current backlog sits at 81 291
Deputy Chair of the DNA Board Raymond Sono revealed that the current backlog stands at a massive 81 291, as reported by EWN.
“Again, I do not have recourse of how many cases in there that have lapsed. They are in terms of complex cases 113, and so forth because they are cases that are being dealt with,” said Sono.
Krugersdorp gang rape: DNA backlog – how bad is it?
Previously, it was reported that the Krugersdorp gang rape case against 14 alleged illegal miners has been impacted by challenges of the state, say reports. On Wednesday, 28 September, members of the public gathered outside the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court to hear what progress had been made in the matter.
The matter, however, was postponed due to outstanding DNA evidence. The 14 alleged illegal miners made a brief appearance in court before the matter was postponed to November.
They are accused of raping eight women in July. The outstanding DNA evidence has once again highlighted backlogs of the country’s forensic service laboratories. Read the full story here.
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