Backlog in DNA tests builds up in GBV cases

POLICE Minister Bheki Cele says 81 596 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) are backlogged due to delays at SAPS forensic laboratories as at May 10.

Cele was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Nazley Khan Sharif, who asked about the backlogs in GBC cases.

Sharif also enquired about the training police officers received to deal with survivors of sexual violence, and what Cele’s department was doing to ensure all officers were trained.

In his written response, Cele said the backlogs as at May 10 were 79 369 biology cases, 1 806 ballistic cases, 409 chemistry cases, 10 scientific analysis cases, and one each victim identification and questioned documents. He said there were 1 683 registered cases, 616 cases were finalised and 17 562 were being processed.

Last month, Cele made a public apology during a debate on the DNA crisis in the SAPS national forensic science laboratories in the National Assembly. He revealed at the time that the national backlogs at the forensic science laboratories stood at 208 291 cases.

However, the minister told the National Assembly that 77 485 of crimes committed against women and children that have outstanding results from forensic laboratories were being processed. He blamed poor contract management, corruption and lack of leadership in the forensic laboratories for the backlogs, and undertook to bring normality back to operations at SAPS laboratories within 18 months.

Responding to questions on the training of police officers, Cele said the SAPS did not have a dedicated learning programme that dealt with the guidelines for the management of survivors of sexual violence. However, he said the training incorporated the guidelines for the management of survivors of violence.

The training included, among others, national victim empowerment, first responder to sexual offences, a sexual offences course for investigating officers, vulnerable children, domestic violence, children and youth at risk. Cele said 10 282 police officers from 1 029 police stations across the country and their head office had been trained.

Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal had the most officers who had undergone the training, with 3 746 and 2 342 respectively.

“From 1 April 2019 to 5 May 2021, 9 985 SAPS members were trained,” he said.

Cele said the SAPS had training interventions that would target 6 028 officers in the 2021-22 financial year.

Meanwhile, Cele has revealed that 10 087 vehicles were taken for repairs or servicing.

He made the statement when he was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Andrew Whitfield. He said 49 658 vehicles were allocated to the SAPS throughout the country.

“A total number of 39 446 SAPS vehicles are available for operational duties. A total number of 125 SAPS new vehicles are in the process of being transferred from a new vehicle store to a province or division, police station or unit.”