The unacceptable delays and the handling of the massive DNA backlog at the national SAPS Forensic Science Laboratories are being investigated by the Office of the Public Protector. According to The Mercury, spokesperson Oupa Segalwe said the investigation “is still in its early stages”.
The investigation follows a complaint lodged by civil rights organisation Action Society against Police Minister Bheki Cele, the DNA Oversight Board, SAPS, the State Information Technology Agency SOC Ltd and President Cyril Ramaphosa in October last year. Action Society asked the Public Protector to investigate these parties for their alleged failure to deal with the backlog of DNA evidence in a sufficiently expeditious manner. The organisation’s attorneys have also sent a letter to the SAPS, addressing concerns regarding progress in the turnaround strategy to deal with the DNA backlog.
The Mercury Pressreader article – Protector investigating DNA backlog (Open access)
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
National Forensic DNA Database collection failure
Lobby group to approach Public Protector over DNA backlog
Cele blames COVID-19 and finances for massive Forensic Science Lab backlog
Police minister apologises as Forensic Lab backlog grows
SAPS makes 'great strides' in ending DNA testing backlog