The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has expressed concern over the remarks made by Major-General Tshilidzi Mulaudzi, head of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), regarding the escalating DNA case backlog. While Major-General Mulaudzi suggested that establishing forensic laboratories in every province could alleviate the crisis, Mr. Cameron contends that this perspective overlooks the systemic issues plaguing the FSL.
“Major-General Mulaudzi’s views obscure the real challenges and present unrealistic solutions that do not align with South Africa’s current fiscal constraints. The SAPS must focus on addressing the systemic issues within the FSL rather than proposing unattainable solutions,” Cameron stated.
The backlog of DNA cases has surged to over 140,000, primarily due to chronic underfunding, inadequate planning, and poor operational support, rather than simply a lack of facilities. A major factor exacerbating this crisis is the failure to maintain critical forensic instruments, many of which have been non-operational since 2020 due to expired maintenance contracts. This highlights a severe mismanagement problem within the division.
Moreover, inadequate storage facilities have led to case files being stored haphazardly in corridors, while forensic exhibits are falling off overcrowded shelves in secure rooms. These conditions not only compromise the integrity of evidence but also pose significant health and safety risks to forensic personnel, Cameron warned.
He said that unless these structural problems are addressed, expanding forensic facilities across the country will not resolve the underlying inefficiencies. “These challenges stem from poor management, inadequate planning, and a disregard for the critical role of forensic science in resolving criminal cases. If the leadership of SAPS continues to ignore these fundamental issues, no sustainable solutions will be found,” he emphasized.
He further urged SAPS leadership to take decisive action in tackling these challenges and to implement practical, well-structured reforms. Restoring public confidence in the forensic system and, by extension, the criminal justice system, must be a priority.
“Continued obfuscation of these challenges will only serve to deepen the crisis,” Cameron concluded.
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