Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
DNA backlog in rape cases could be eased
AN UPDATE on the DNA backlog relating to sexual offences is expected next month, something that left local organisations feeling optimistic.
A lack of equipment needed in rape kits, as well as the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic, had resulted in the backlog.
Nozibele Ndunge, a social worker at Just Grace in Langa, an organisation that aims to assist the community and also helps survivors of rape with counselling and in court cases, is concerned about the number of court postponements of rape cases.
“There are too many postponements of cases. This makes me hesitant to report cases because the courts delay in giving justice to survivors.”
Ndunge says there was a recent case of a young woman whose case remained unattended for four months. This demotivated the survivor and made her feel as if she would never get justice. Ndunge said that even prior to Covid-19, rape case postponements were the norm in Western Cape courts.
“The biggest pain for the survivors is seeing their perpetrators walk free. The sad thing is that survivors usually live in the same area as the perpetrators. Women are now scared to report rape.”
Ndunge applauded the SAPS for giving victims dignity and for providing a trauma room when reporting a rape case. Ndunge however is saddened that reporting a case often doesn’t bring justice.
“So many survivors report a case and then get no feedback.”
Ndunge said most women who reported rape were teenage women, and were often afraid to report rape, because they were usually raped when they were drunk.
She believes closure is not given to survivors, because they often don’t get updateson their cases; they are postponed or the perpetrator is released. Ndunge urges survivors to not remain silent if they have been raped.
“Even if the justice system fails them, they must report.”
Communications co-ordinator of Rape Crisis Trust Cape Town, Sino Mdunjeni, said they were disappointed when sexual offences cases weren’t prioritised.
“We know that survivors want closure when they report to the police. We believe that the establishment of sex offences courts and the roll-out of Thuthuzela Care Centres are very important to ensure justice for survivors. We find that the response of the police at police stations remains very problematic.”
Mdunjeni said Rape Crisis Trust Cape Town remained concerned that cases weren’t being resolved quick enough.
The Western Cape department of community and safety spokesperson, Marcellino Martin, said SAPS had indicated that the next DNA backlog update was to be communicated in December. The department was encouraged by the significant reduction of DNA backlogs since the last SAPS update in August.
The NPA referred the matter of sexual offence case backlogs to the judiciary.
“The NPA is not responsible for the management of the courts and the court rolls. These aspects resort with the judiciary. Consequently, enquiries regarding the management of the courts must be directed at the judiciary. Only the NPA can account for its own actions.”