GEORGE NEWS - Between April and June this year, a total of 58 rape cases were reported at the four police stations in the George area. The sad reality is that only 10% of actual rape cases are reported in South Africa.
This excludes other charges of sexual assault.
"What makes this statistic even worse is that the ongoing backlog of DNA test results will no doubt severely hamper successful convictions of these cases," said a spokesperson for the pressure group Action Society, Dr Rineé Pretorius.
However, there seems to be the smallest glimmer of hope.
In response to parliamentary questions by Gillion Bosman, DA Western Cape spokesperson for social development, the police has indicated an almost 28% decrease in the backlog of DNA specimens related to sexual offence cases at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in the Western Cape.
"The number of backlogged cases was reportedly reduced from 37 647 in July to 27 146 as at 20 September, which is the latest information we have received," Bosman said. But, while this is welcome news, details about the engagements of Minister Bheki Cele with the Western Cape Police FSL remain sketchy.
Insufficient action
"When I asked about any efforts by the national minister to deal with the backlog, the response only vaguely suggests that they are 'focused on addressing the root causes underlying the DNA backlog at the FSL'," said Bosman.
"I have for that reason submitted additional requests for specific details of the four 'interventions and meetings' that Minister Cele is said to have initiated with Saps and the FSL in May, June and September."
Elanie van der Walt, spokesperson for Action Society, says the fact that Cele has not addressed the DNA backlog is becoming a human rights violation.
"Victims of rape and violent crime will have to wait at least two years for their day in court - that's if court cases aren't struck from the roll due to the lack of DNA evidence," she told George Herald. "Action Society has laid a complaint with the public protector against the President, Minister of Police, DNA oversight board and all other parties involved in the DNA backlog, as this is a huge miscarriage of justice."
Elanie van der Walt
Lip service
She also said that the alleged decrease of 28% is by no means progress if you consider the 73% increase in rape cases across the country between April and June this year.
"Minister Cele is simply paying lip service to victims of gender-based violence," said Van der Walt.
According to her there has also not been any information regarding progress of the two private labs (Stellenbosch and Durban) that were supposed to start operations on 1 October focusing on backlogged cases.
While the prevailing situation remains deplorable, it is positive that the DNA backlog relating to sexual offences is on a downward trajectory. Tragically, the provision of justice for women remains severely stunted in South Africa.
"Residents of the Western Cape deserve more than scraps from Minister Cele. National government has already effectively violated the DNA Act (2013) by allowing any such backlog to exceed 30 days," Bosman said.
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