6 000 DNA swab kits delivered to WC SAPS, but is it enough?

6 000 DNA buccal swabs delivered following a shortage.

Six thousand DNA buccal swab (DB) kits were delivered to the SAPS Epping Supplies Store on Monday following a shortage at several police stations.

GBV organisations say while this is good news, the SAPS faces a critical forensic emergency, as over 175 500 DNA entries have exceeded legal processing timelines, leaving thousands of criminal investigations compromised.

Over the past two weeks, during unannounced oversight visits to various police stations including Khayelitsha, Maitland, Atlantis, Philippi East and Somerset West, DA MP Nicholas Gotsell found that there were no DB kits available, while stock was limited at Cape Town Central and Manenberg Police Station.

Gotsell said at Manenberg SAPS, he found that the ten DB kits available during their previous visit had been exhausted.