Police Minister Bheki Cele has apologised to all gender-based violence (GBV) victims for the delays in the processing of DNA samples at forensic laboratories.
Cele was speaking in Parliament during a debate on the backlog of DNA samples at forensic laboratories.
He says government admits that the delays are not acceptable.
“As the minister of police, I would like to take this opportunity and apologise sincerely to all victim for the pains and anguish these delays have caused. We owe it to all of you to be transparent about how we got here and how we will improve the situation in going forward,”says Cele.
SAPS urgently addressing DNA evidence sample backlogs:
Last month Police Minister, Bheki Cele, said the problem of DNA evidence sample backlogs at the National Forensic Science Laboratory was being urgently addressed. Cele said a government IT company had been appointed to track and trace samples.
He said the samples were traced manually in the past, but the new digital system is able to trace seven to 8 000 samples a week.
Police management told Parliament’s portfolio committee recently that backlogs at the National Forensic Science Laboratory stood at over 173 000 cases.
However, Cele said the matter has been given an urgent attention.
GRAPHIC WARNING] DNA Test backlogs | Delays in DNA testing deny victims justice
