DA blasts backlog in Forensic Science Labs

Celeste Ganga
19 June 2007

The Democratic Alliance spokesperson for Safety and Security, Diane Kohler Barnard, has released a statement questioning the backlog at the country’s Forensic Science Laboratories.

The Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, was recently asked in Parliament by the DA to release the details of the amount of cases that have been dropped, struck off the roll or withdrawn due to delays at Forensic Science Laboratories.

Barnard says that the public has a right to know about these figures.

“The DA is releasing this information to the public so that people are aware of this situation.” she added.

Normally, an investigating officer would have to wait 102 days for results on a biology sample. The shortest amount of time to receive these results is 35 days; this also includes Questioned Documents and Scientific Analysis categories.

The FSL has a training budget for 2007-2008 that totals more than R1 million. This budget funds more than nine hundred positions.

“The high number of samples in the backlog as well as the long waiting periods is a cause for concern. It is hoped that the drive to recruit more personnel will improve matters,” Barnard said.

Approached by Bush Radio, SAPS Director Phuti Setati conferred with the Safety and Security minister that the backlog figures were correct.