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TimesLIVE reports that the head of the SA Police Service (SAPS) ballistics section, Brig Mishak Mkhabela, stationed at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Silverton, Pretoria, told the Madlanga commission on Monday that the section was struggling with severe backlogs and staff shortages.
Mkhabela said the section was unable to process the number of firearms linked to crimes in the country. There are more than 29,000 firearms in storage, each linked to a criminal case, with only 42 analysts to handle the workload. Storage facilities are full, and they have had to repurpose a museum to keep excess exhibits.
Mkhabela said the backlog was causing delays in court cases, and courts have started issuing inquiries under section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act to explain the delays. A former commander of the ballistics unit was arrested for contempt of court after failing to attend such an inquiry. “That is what we’re facing daily. Instead of me preparing the cases, I must travel to court and explain why the case is delayed,” Mkhabela said. He said the unit faced challenges in recruitment due to administrative delays and red tape.
To retain skilled staff, the police have implemented a scarce skills allowance for forensic analysts, but this has only partly addressed the problem. Ballistics work requires extensive in-service training.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at DailyDispatch
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