Community Safety
With reference to his reply to question 3 of 30 July 2021:
(a) What is the total number of backlogged cases as a result of delayed DNA processing at SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in the Western Cape, (b) how many of these cases are related to sexual offences, (c) what measures, if any, has the national Minister of Police employed to address this issue, (d) what are the dates of when he took any such actions, (e) what is the expected timeline for the machines to become operational, (f) which methods, if any, of DNA processing has SAPS FSL utilised in the absence of the unused DNA processing machines, (g) what progress has the SAPS made with regards to re-initiating the bidding process for the servicing of the DNA processing equipment?
(a) The total number of backlogged cases, as at 20 September 2021, as a result of delayed Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) processing, at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), in the Western Cape, is reflected in the table below:
Category | Biology |
Routine > 35 days | 2 805 |
DNA Intelligence > 90 days | 14 794 |
Non routine > 113 days | 24 |
Reference Index (RI) Intelligence > 90 days | 57 237 |
Total | 74 860 |
(b) The number of the backlogged cases, which were related to sexual offences, as at 20 September 2021, was 27 146.
(c) The Minister has initiated several interventions with the SAPS and FSL Management, which are focused on addressing the root causes underlying the DNA backlog at the FSL.
(d) The dates, on which the interventions and meetings took place, are 17 May 2021, 23 June 2021, 10 September 2021 and 16 September 2021.
(e) The Crime Index (C1) Lane instruments are fully operational; however, the RI Lane instruments are not fully operational. Even though the RI Lane is not fully operational, there is a daily output of cases for finalisation with the limited resources. The RI Lane is expected to be fully operational, within two weeks. The approval of the requisitions is awaited.
(f) In the absence of instruments at the CI Lane, the FSL processed the samples/cases manually.
(g)
Active Contracts | |||
Contract Number | Description | Awarded Supplier | Contract Period |
19/1/9/1/80 TP (20) | Procurement of silica-membrane based purification kit for genomic DNA-Biology, Pretoria and Western Cape | The Scientific Group (Pty) Ltd | Two years Awarded: 2020-07-06 Expiry date: 2022-07-05 |
19/1/9/1/69 TD (19) | Procurement of consumables for Biology Pretoria and Western Cape. | LTC Tech South Africa (Pty) Ltd and The Scientific Group (Pty) Ltd | Two years Awarded: 2020-11-02 Expiry date: 2022-11-01 |
19/1/9/1/79 TD (19) | Procurement of consumables, used in the semi-automated DNA Processing System (RI/CI), including validation and training. | The Scientific Group (Pty) Ltd and Thermo Fischer Scientific t/a LTC Tech South Africa (Pty) Ltd | Two years Awarded: 2021-03-12 Expiry date: 2023-03-11 |
19/1/9/1/24 TR (20) | Procurement of manual and semi-automated DNA processing system, including validation, training and three-year maintenance contract for the Regional Laboratory Eastern Cape. | LTC Tech South Africa (Pty) Ltd | Training: Two years Maintenance: Three years Awarded: 2021-04-30 |
19/1/9/1/82 TP (19) | Maintenance, repair, service and calibration of laboratory instruments for biology, Pretoria and Western Cape (fume hoods, laminar flows, liquid handler, etc. | Promolab (Pty) Ltd t/a Separations Amadwala SA (Pty) Ltd Rusbro Engineering Works Thermo Fischer t/a LTC South Africa | Three years Awarded; 2021-05-14 Expiry date: 2024-05-13 |
19/1/9/1/99 TP (19) | Removal of hazardous waste at all laboratories national and regional. | Mampuru Waste Management | Two years Awarded: 2021-05-27 Expiry date: 2023-05-27 |
Active Contracts | |||
Contract Number | Description | Awarded Supplier | Contract Period |
19/1/9/1/09 TP (20) | Rendering of archive and retrieval of forensics files | Iron Mountain (Pty) Ltd | Two years Awarded: 2021-02-08 Expiry date: 2023-02-07 |
19/1/9/1/05 TP (21) | Maintenance, repair, service of the Crime Index System (C1) at Biology Pretoria and Western Cape | Promolab (Pty) Ltd t/a Separations | Three years Awarded: 2021-09-09 Expiry date: 2023-09-09 |
Pending Contracts | |
Description | Status |
Maintenance, repair, service of the RI System for Biology Pretoria and Western Cape | Date of pre-advertisement meeting: 2021-09-21 Interim Invention requires procurement on RFQ. |
Pending Contracts | ||
Contract Number | Description | Status |
19/1/9/1/12 TD (20) | Supply and delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). | Only certain items placed on the specification and other items procured on National Treasury Transversal Contract. |
GC (A) 05/2021 | Procurement of system assistance and system software to be used at Biology Section. | Specification drafted and already handed in at the Division: Supply Chain Management (SCM), pending nominations from the Division: Technology Management Services (TMS). |
GC 03/2021 19/1/9/1/37 TD (21) | Consumables to be used at Biology Section Pretoria and Western Cape. Items not awarded on Contract 19/1/9/1/69 TD (19) and 19/1/9/1/79 TD (19). | Tentative date of advertisement 2021-10-29 Current stock levels maintained, procurement on RFQ. |
GC (B) 08/2021 19/1/9/1/42 TR (21) | Procurement of capillary electrophoresis for the Biology Pretoria | Tentative date for pre-advertisement meeting: 2021-10-04 Closing date: 2021-11-04 |
