Latest news with #SenzoMchunu
IOL News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Senzo Mchunu refutes DNA backlog crisis in forensic labs
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says the historical DNA backlog, which was at one point standing at 241 152 and increased by 4.33% to 251 603, was eradicated during 2023. Image: GCIS Police Minister Senzo Mchunu firmly refuted allegations of a substantial backlog of forensic exhibits in the South African Police Service (SAPS) laboratories. This after EFF MP Rebecca Mohlala asked in parliamentary questions about concrete steps the police has taken to address the persistent and massive DNA backlog that continued to delay justice for victims of rape and femicide amid thousands of forensic samples remain unprocessed for years, perpetrators remain at large within communities and affected families are left in a prolonged state of uncertainty. 'How does the SAPS justify the ongoing backlog crisis when the lives and dignity of women urgently depend on timely forensic intervention?' Mohlala asked. Mchunu said the assertion that there was a persistent and massive backlog of exhibits at the police forensic science laboratory (FSL) was invalid. 'The FSL has had an increase in the volume of exhibits received. Registered case entries for analysis, increased by 63.21% from 307 826 in 2021/22 to 502 407, as at the end of the 2024/25 financial year,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'A total of 284 529 case entries were finalised during the 2021/22 financial year, and comparatively, the FSL has finalised 358 684 case entries, as at the end of 2024/25 financial year.' He also said the registered case entries for analysis increased by 118 549 from 2023/24 383 858 to 502 407 in 2024/25. 'A total of 343 973 case entries were finalised during the 2023/24 financial year, and comparatively, the FSL has finalised 358 684 case entries, as at the end of 2024/25 financial year.' Mchunu said the main contributor to the case exhibits were reference samples used for DNA intelligence purposes. He pointed out that the police have four forensic science laboratories in the country, of which three are fully operational in Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. 'The KwaZulu-Natal laboratory is only partially utilized after flooding in 2022, however, an alternative accommodation solution has been sought, and it is at an advanced stage, which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the FSL.' The minister stated the process with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on alternative accommodation for Kwa-Zulu-Natal would be inclusive of the DNA processing Laboratory that was never there before. There is 'on-going discussions with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on appointment of a permanent contractor to resolve any facility challenges immediately.' Mchunu also said the SAPS has established a project with the National Prosecuting Authority to ensures the prioritisation of cases for the timely analysis of DNA exhibits as well as ensure the provisioning of the required reports, known as 212 Statement), to prevent the withdrawal of cases due to an outstanding DNA report. 'A total of 55 702 gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF)-related DNA reports were provided for GBVF cases since the commencement of the project, until 31 May 2025. Furthermore, a total of 127 078 DNA reports (212 statements) were generated for other types of offences requiring DNA analysis,' he said.
The Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- The Herald
More than R5m in taxpayers' money spent to fund suspended police salaries — Mchunu
SAPS has spent more than R5m to fund the salaries of 11 suspended police officers over the past three years. This was revealed by police minister Senzo Mchunu in a written reply to a recent parliamentary question by Build One SA (Bosa). By May 16, two lieutenant-generals suspended since 2022 have been paid more than R4m without working. Other officers suspended with full pay include sergeants and constables, with their payments ranging from R35,000 to R56,000 each. Bosa spokesperson Roger Solomons criticised the payments, citing a shortage of police resources to respond to crime. 'This is an affront to every South African living in fear, waiting hours for the police to respond, only to be told there are no vehicles, no officers and no capacity. Meanwhile, senior officers who should be leading the fight against crime are being paid millions to sit at home. 'While communities are under siege, SAPS continues to waste resources on suspended officials instead of bolstering front-line policing.' Mchunu previously said the country has a shortage of detectives, with 2,344 vacant posts. Solomons said this shows SAPS's failure in leadership and accountability. 'A culture that tolerates delayed disciplinary processes, shields incompetence and rewards misconduct cannot deliver safety to the people of South Africa. 'Bosa calls for urgent disciplinary case finalisation for suspended officers and transparency reports every quarter on SAPS suspensions and costs.' TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
More than R5m in taxpayers' money spent to fund suspended police salaries — Mchunu
SAPS has spent more than R5m to fund the salaries of 11 suspended police officers over the past three years. This was revealed by police minister Senzo Mchunu in a written reply to a recent parliamentary question by Build One SA (Bosa). By May 16, two lieutenant-generals suspended since 2022 have been paid more than R4m without working. Other officers suspended with full pay include sergeants and constables, with their payments ranging from R35,000 to R56,000 each. Bosa spokesperson Roger Solomons criticised the payments, citing a shortage of police resources to respond to crime. 'This is an affront to every South African living in fear, waiting hours for the police to respond, only to be told there are no vehicles, no officers and no capacity. Meanwhile, senior officers who should be leading the fight against crime are being paid millions to sit at home. 'While communities are under siege, SAPS continues to waste resources on suspended officials instead of bolstering front-line policing.' Mchunu previously said the country has a shortage of detectives, with 2,344 vacant posts. Solomons said this shows SAPS's failure in leadership and accountability. 'A culture that tolerates delayed disciplinary processes, shields incompetence and rewards misconduct cannot deliver safety to the people of South Africa. 'Bosa calls for urgent disciplinary case finalisation for suspended officers and transparency reports every quarter on SAPS suspensions and costs.'
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Minister Senzo Mchunu outlines critical steps to combat GBVF in South Africa
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu calls for a whole-of-society approach to prevent and combat gender-based violence, stressing the need for coordinated efforts beyond policing to protect women and children nationwide. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to tackling gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), highlighting that the fight extends beyond policing and requires coordinated action across government and communities. Mchunu was briefing the Multi-Party Women's Caucus on Thursday, outlining current challenges and government efforts to curb GBVF, which he described as 'one of the most pressing challenges facing our nation.' 'The country is gripped by GBVF because of its prevalence and reaching distressing levels throughout the four corners of our country. It is a scourge that threatens the safety, dignity, and well-being of women and children, and it requires decisive action,' Mchunu said. He stressed the importance of addressing both the pre-incident and post-incident phases of GBVF, noting, 'The first part requires the whole society in the main. And whereas the second part requires, in particular, police and justice, and, of course, social development and health.' Mchunu warned against the misconception that 'police alone can prevent or deal with GBVF,' calling for broad societal mobilisation, including members of parliament, legislatures, and community leaders.
eNCA
2 days ago
- eNCA
245 schools flagged as high risk
JOHANNESBURG - Children are not safe at school. This is the problem the Safe Schools Protocol wants to address. It's a collaboration between Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. It's aimed at creating a safer learning environment and end violence in schools A recent report identified almost 250 Gauteng schools as high-risk. According to the Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube some of this schools are already in hot spots for crime.
