GP police feel pinch of DNA backlog in fight against GBV
Gauteng Police commissioner Elias Mawela says the much publicised DNA processing backlog at the country’s forensic science laboratories remains a challenge to the fight against gender-based violence, but he adds other resources are being channeled to ensure police can respond to cases.
Mawela was speaking on the side lines of Gauteng gender-based violence and femicide summit, which takes place over two days, where he confirmed additional manpower and vehicles have been dedicated to deal with GBV and femicide cases.
“We have ensured that the units that are dealing with GBV are being prioritised. We have also made sure that the people dealing with these crimes are given the requisite training.”
He says they are also working together with the community safety department through the green doors and GBV brigade programmes to encourage communities to report incidents to the police.
But he says their efforts have not been without challenges. Police Minister Bheki Cele has come under fire for failing to uphold his commitment to clear the backlog within six months, with the Democratic Alliance claiming unprocessed cases now stood at more than 300,00.
But Mawela says there are efforts to address the challenge.
“The backlog is a well-known factor, but there is a programme in place led by the deputy minister to make sure that they correct what is happening in that space. But there’s always a way around that.”
Mawela made the example of instances where cases have been prioritised for forensic testing like with the gang-rape case where a group of armed illegal miners attacked, robbed and raped eight women who were part of a film crew shooting a video and an abandoned mine shaft near Krugersdorp.
“We are not saying other incidents are not of importance, but should something require that that analysis should be prioritised, we always get assisted. For example, with the issue of the west rand, we have requested that it be prioritised and definitely it was.”
Fourteen of the more than 60 suspects arrested in connection with the attack have had multiple counts of rape added to their charges.
Meanwhile, while the National Prosecuting Authority did not divulge how the men were linked, spokesperson Phindi Mjonodwana did confirm that an identity parade had been conducted. She said it could not rule out the possibility of more people being charged for rape.
The suspects, in this case, are expected back in court on 28 September 2022.
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