Community Safety
With reference to the turnaround strategy for addressing the backlog in DNA processing at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in the province:
- how many DNA samples in the province had not been processed and were resulting in a backlog by the end of (i) 2016, (ii) 2017, (iii) 2018, (iv) 2019, (v) 2020, and (vi) 2021 and (b) what are the (i) specific aims of the SAPS’ turnaround strategy for addressing the backlog in DNA processing in the province, (ii) the timelines for its implementation, (iii) the contributors towards the backlog in the processing of DNA samples in the province and (iv) measures being taken to address this?
The South African Police Service informed me as follows:
4. (a) (i) The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) backlog, in the South African Police Service (SAPS), Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), in the Western Cape, for the period 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021, is 71 871 cases. It includes 36 544 cases from 2020 and 10 196 cases from 2019. The years 2016, 2017 and 2018 have no cases contributing to the backlog.
(ii) Same as above.
(iii) Same as above.
(iv) Same as above.
(v) Same as above.
(vi) Same as above.
(b) (i) The aim of the intervention is to focus on the stabilisation of the DNA processing, within a period of 18 months.
Strategic Intervention (Key Action) | Measures Implemented |
Facilitate and activate processes to acquire consumables. | Contract Management. Weekly monitoring of procurement files. |
Optimise the process, to ensure that equipment is timeously maintained or calibrated. | Servicing, calibration and maintenance of equipment as and when required and necessary contracts in place. |
Strategic Intervention (Key Action) | Measures Implemented |
Conduct risk assessments. | Risk assessment conducted, in terms of the management and containment of COVID-19 in the SAPS: Alert level one. |
Advance the procurement of personal protection equipment (PPE’s) and screens (physical barriers) for open plan areas. |
Weekly monitoring of the contract status. |
Implementation of the new Track and Trace System. | The functions of the Property Control and Exhibit Management (PCEM) System were transferred to the Forensic Exhibit Management (FEM) System. It was implemented, on 6 April 2021 and members have been trained. |
Rotation | The SAPS is in the process of getting 75% of the workforce back to work, in terms of the management and containment of COVID-19, in the SAPS: Alert level one. |
Medical surveillance and vaccination of members. | The Status of the medical surveillance and vaccinations, on 16 April 2021, were as follows:
|
Daily monitoring of backlog cases and reprioritisation. | Weekly submission of updated gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Independent Police Investigate Directorate (IPID) cases. |
(ii) Same as above.
(iii) The contributors towards the backlog in the processing of DNA samples, is the lack of contacts and the delay in awarding of contracts, to address the following challenges, with regard to the processing of DNA samples:
- Availability of consumables.
- Service and maintenance of instruments.
- Medical surveillance and vaccination of members.
(iv) A number of contracts have been secured and a few are still pending, to ensure the availability of consumables, as well as the service and maintenance of equipment utilised. A DNA Backlog Recovery Plan was drafted, involving all the relevant stakeholders.
