Backlog in DNA tests piles up in GBV cases

POLICE Minister Bheki Cele has revealed that there were 81 596 backlogs related to gender-based violence cases at SAPS forensic laboratories as at May 10.

Cele revealed this when he was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Nazley Khan Sharif, who asked about the current backlogs in gender-based violence cases.

Nazley also enquired about the training that has been conducted on the guidelines for the management of survivors of sexual violence and on plans put in place to ensure that all officers were trained.

In his written response, Cele said the backlogs as at May 10 were 79369 biology cases, 1 806 ballistic cases, 409 chemistry cases, 10 scientific analysis cases and one each victim identification and questioned documents.

He also said there were 1683 registered cases, 616 cases were finalised and 17562 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 laboratories stood at 208291 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 national victim empowerment, first responder to sexual offences, a sexual offences course for investigating officers, vulnerable children, domestic violence, children and youth at risk, among others.

Cele also said 10 282 police officers from 1029 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, a total of 9985 SAPS members were trained,” he said.

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

Meanwhile, Cele has revealed that more than 10000 vehicles were taken for repairs or servicing.

“A total number of 10 087 vehicles are currently booked in at SAPS garages for repairs, maintenance or service,” he said.

Cele was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Andrew Whitfield.

He also said a total of 49 658 vehicles were allocated to the SAPS throughout the country.

“A total number of 39 446 SAPS vehicles are currently 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.”