MPs unhappy over forensics

POLICE Minister Cele yesterday pleaded with MP not to lose hope with his department’s proposed turnaround plan aimed to tackle backlogs in processing of DNA case exhibits.

“Let us be judged and monitored on figures and time frames we put here, rather than saying it won’t happen,” Cele said when police top brass presented their turnaround plan to Parliament’s police portfolio committee.

A report tabled in the meeting showed that there were 131 509 unregistered exhibits cases and 39 566 exhibits being processed in the head office, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

But, MPs were not impressed by the turnaround plan, which promises the completion of cases within five months. They complained that the backlogs lead to violent criminals being released because of the failure to link them to DNA analysis. This was despite SAPS-outlined plans to spend R250 million on procurement.

DA MP Andrew Whtifiled said the situation they found themselves in was unacceptable. He demanded to know the total number of both registered and unregistered cases.

“I am not entirely convinced that we are to turn around based on this plan. How did this happen,” Whitfield said.

The National Freedom Party’s Munzoor Shaik-Emam said: “Your expectations are too optimistic.”

Shaik-Emam said in addition to DNA backlogs, there were still autopsy reports that were outstanding.

National Commissioner Khehla Sitole said the problem in forensic services was that it depended on supply chain and management for its operations.