GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A backlog of more than 117 000 DNA samples at the National Forensic Science Laboratories (NFSL) is causing South African victims of crime and their families unnecessary suffering while they wait for answers as cases can not be resolved.

Perpetrators of violent crimes also roam free, said DA Shadow Minister of Police, Andrew Whitfield, in a media statement this week.

"The DA has written to National Police Commissioner General Kehla Sitole to request that he urgently investigate partnerships with private laboratories to tackle the backlog which now stands at 117 736," said Whitfield.

Testing came to a halt because of "mismanaging" of supply chain processes that led to a disruption in the awarding of contracts, he said.

Shortages in consumables and reagent have been a major problem, although it is being addressed now. The maintenance contract for sensitive robotics and other specialised equipment at the Western Cape laboratory has been allowed to lapse. "These machines cannot be used until they are calibrated to the correct standard."

In response to a query regarding backlogs in testing results for cases in the Southern Cape, regional police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie referred the newspaper to the national police department's communications division.

At the time of going to print, no response had been received.

Whitfield said there are concerns as to whether a turnaround plan that the police has come up with to tackle the backlog, is achievable.

There are capacity challenges, Covid workplace restrictions and many contracts are not yet in place.

"Every day more and more DNA case exhibits arrive at our labs and every day the backlog becomes even more insurmountable."

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