Community Safety
With reference to the use of private laboratories for criminal investigations and the backlog in DNA processing at the national SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory:
(a) In how many cases have victims resorted to the use of private laboratories, such as Pathcare, to process outstanding genetic material due to backlogs at the Forensic Science Laboratory, (b) what was the outcome of these investigations in (i) 2018, (ii) 2019, (iii) 2020 and (iv) 2021 to date and (c) what process must victims follow if they wish to use private laboratories to process DNA, which the Forensic Science Laboratory has failed to process timeously?
The South African Police Service informed me as follows:
3. (a) The Department posed the question to the SAPS National Commissioner; however, the Department is still awaiting the reply. As soon as the reply is received, it will be submitted.
(b) (i) Same as above.
(ii) Same as above.
(iii) Same as above.
(iv) Same as above.
(c) Same as above.
