Parliament, Friday, 17 April 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, has welcomed the official handover of the KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Science Laboratory, describing it as a significant step forward in strengthening the fight against crime and tackling gender-based violence (GBV).
Mr Cameron emphasised the importance of forensic capacity in securing successful prosecutions: “As the Portfolio Committee on Police, we have consistently underscored the central role of evidence-based prosecutions. The consolidation of forensic units in this facility will accelerate the analysis of buccal samples and, once operational, will really push back on any DNA backlog, which will significantly enhance the efficiency of the criminal justice system. This milestone reflects the committee’s long-standing calls and renews confidence in government’s commitment to combating crime and GBV.”
The Chairperson further noted that the new facility addresses longstanding infrastructure challenges, particularly the recurring flooding that affected the previous premises, which had severely hampered forensic operations. The Chairperson further noted that the Portfolio Committee on Police had previously conducted an oversight visit to forensic laboratories in KwaZulu-Natal, where it raised serious concerns about the state of the facilities and called for urgent intervention to secure a suitable and functional space to house this critical SAPS function.
“The handover of this facility is a direct response to the committee’s recommendations and affirms the importance of robust parliamentary oversight. It demonstrates that when oversight is exercised effectively, it can yield tangible improvements in service delivery and institutional capacity,” Mr Cameron said.
However, Mr Cameron cautioned that infrastructure alone will not resolve systemic challenges within forensic services. “While this facility is a major advancement, it will not solve crimes on its own. Sustained investment in skilled personnel and the consistent supply of critical consumables is essential. The persistent shortages of analysts and forensic materials remain a serious concern that requires urgent and long-term intervention.”
The committee has committed to ongoing oversight to ensure that the laboratory operates efficiently and delivers on its intended purpose. “We will continue to tackle supply chain management in SAPS with regard to corruption, fruitless and wasteful expenditure to ensure that new labs and other SAPS developments can be resourced without funds being stolen and misappropriated.
Mr Cameron reiterated that all available tools must be utilised in the fight against crime, adding that improved forensic turnaround times will strengthen the administration of justice by reducing case backlogs and preventing delays that could otherwise result in cases being struck off the roll.
As a gesture of support and recognition, Mr Cameron will attend the handover ceremony, acknowledging the efforts of the Minister of Public Works and officials in delivering a facility that will play a critical role in enhancing South Africa’s capacity to combat crime.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON
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