Dear Editor
DA MPs Angel Khanyile and Lisa Shickerling on Friday visited the South African Police Services’ Forensic Science Laboratory in Tshwane. They met with Head, Major General Mulaudzi, and Brigadier Hlalele, who spoke on a facility crucial in our nation’s fight against GBVF on its knees.
Already subject to probe in the Madlanga Commission, SAPS’ Forensics face a backlog of more than 30 000 cases of GBVF cases, including horrifying statutory rape. These cases are more than numbers, they represent thousands of women in girls in country denied justice, autonomy and freedom. Imagine the horror of standing up against your abuser to lay a charge of assault for your case to only be struck off the roll, as SAPS cannot process your evidence. It is a stain on our nation that must be attended to.
Further, while the SAPS receives R120 billion annually, it is short of 400 staff members, including forensic analysts and case managers.
The backlog faced by the facility in Pretoria is heightened by there being not enough laboratory facilities across our country, resulting in cases which can be dealt with provincially becoming stuck.
The DA in Parliament will:
- Continue to demand action and accountability from SAPS on the collapse of its forensic capabilities,
- Collaborate with SAPS in expanding policing powers to provinces to decentralise the workload and invite private bodies to assist SAPS in areas it is failing to deliver,
- Ensure the immediate appointment of the GBV Council, after inexcusable delays and even criticism from the President.
SAPS’ broken system, which leaves criminals with accountability, deters women and children from reporting crimes against them. Crimes reported are not a full reflection.
Violence against women and children is a matter of national importance, which the DA takes with tremendous seriousness.
Regards
Angel Khanyile MP & Lisa Schickerling MP
DA Spokesperson on Women, Youth & Persons with Disabilities & DA Spokesperson on Police