KwaZulu-Natal is set to revolutionize its justice system with the launch of the new Mayville Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), which promises to process DNA evidence locally, ending the province’s reliance on laboratories in Pretoria and the Western Cape.
According to the South African Government, the new facility will bring biology, chemistry, and questioned document units under one roof, alongside specialized quality management staff, to tackle the province’s staggering 13,861 backlog cases.
Backlog Breakdown
The scale of the challenge facing the new facility is significant, with 24,442 cases on hand, of which 13,861 are classified as backlogs, having remained unresolved for more than 90 days.
Premier Thami Ntuli emphasized that consolidating these units into a secure, flood-proof facility in Mayville is a strategic move to protect evidence and accelerate timelines, noting that for victims of gender-based violence and other violent crimes, the reduction of these backlog cases is the only way to restore trust in the legal system.
Key Pressure Points
- 24,442 cases on hand
- 13,861 backlog cases
- More than 90 days unresolved
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean MacPherson added that the Department of Public Works is no longer just a “landlord” but a partner in policing, delivering infrastructure that strengthens the hand of the police, as seen on the Wikipedia page of the South African Police Service.
The move to centralize operations is expected to drastically improve command and control, according to SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who acknowledged that the laboratory still requires further equipment and machinery, which SAPS is currently procuring.</p)
