Police Oversight and Community Safety
In regard to the Western Cape SAPS Forensic Laboratory:
(a) What is the current SAPS backlog of DNA cases in the province, broken down by (i) GBV or rape, (ii) murder, (iii) property crime and (iv) missing persons, (b) what is the average turnaround time calculated from the submission of samples to the laboratory to the delivery of test results, (c)(i) how many cases are at risk of being removed from court rolls or being withdrawn because the forensic evidence has been delayed and (ii) how many cases have already been removed or withdrawn, (d)(i) what is the current staff complement at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory and (ii) how does this compare to the required or ideal staffing level and (e) how many SAPS forensic laboratories are in the province?
. (a) The Western Cape SAPS Forensic Laboratory currently has no backlog of DNA cases in respect of:
(i) Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and rape cases.
(ii) Murder cases.
(iii) Property crime cases.
(iv) Missing persons cases.
(b) The average turnaround time, calculated from the submission of samples to the laboratory until the delivery of test results, is 90 calendar days.
(c) (i) The laboratory is not aware of, nor has it been informed of, such cases, as interventions are in place with the relevant stakeholders to manage the processing of exhibit material. These measures are intended to minimise delays in the provision of results and to avoid any negative impact on service delivery.
(ii) The laboratory has no record of, nor has it been notified of, any withdrawals.
(d) (i) The current staff complement at the Forensic Science Laboratory (Western Cape) is 440, comprising 320 members in terms of the Police Act and 120 members in terms of the Public Service Act.
(ii) The required staff complement at the Forensic Science Laboratory is 540, comprising 376 members in terms of the Police Act and 164 members in terms of the Public Service Act.
(e) There is currently only one Forensic Science Laboratory in the Western Cape.
