Serial rapist Sihle Makaula’s reign of terror ended with four life terms and 63 years’ imprisonment in the Western Cape, not because victims could identify him, but because his DNA linked him to a series of crimes across separate dockets.

Forensic evidence is a potent tool in South Africa’s battle against gender-based violence (GBV), serving as a scientific ‘slam-dunk’ capable of unmasking perpetrators who are unknown to their victims.

The rapid analysis of DNA evidence is bringing serial offenders to justice by transforming cold cases into life sentences.

But as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) celebrates this and other high-profile wins, civil society cautions that these victories are inconsistent, arguing that rapid DNA is ineffective without tackling the massive backlog and structural failures plaguing the police forensics laboratories.

Makaula’s sentencing, which occurred during South Africa’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, underscored the profound impact of forensic evidence.

Makaula’s reign of terror began in 2019 in a Grabouw informal settlement, where he preyed on multiple women, including a minor. Crucially, he was linked to several crimes across different dockets solely through a DNA breakthrough, even when complainants could not directly identify him.

This case is not an isolated success but a testament to the intensified efforts by the NPA to fast-track forensic evidence in serious cases.

In October 2020, the NPA’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit developed and implemented the DNA Prioritisation Initiative, specifically targeting gender-based violence (GBV) and serial-crime matters.

NPA spokesperson Bulelwa Makeke confirmed that the initiative, in partnership with the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, was established to expedite DNA reports needed for court.

“Since the initiative’s inception until 28 October 2025, 63,360 DNA reports were received and distributed to NPA divisions for use in court,” Makeke said.

These reports, she added, have been used to identify and prosecute serial offenders, strengthen trial preparation, reduce delays, and ultimately improve case finalisation rates.

DNA’s ability to link unrelated crimes and identify previously unknown offenders is transforming cold cases into convictions.

“DNA continues to be a decisive factor in securing convictions in serial-offender prosecutions where the perpetrator is unknown to the victims,” Makeke stated.

Illustrating this impact are recent high-profile matters, including the State vs Gilbert Fankomo, where DNA evidence linked Fankomo to multiple rape cases across five dockets. He was convicted on four counts of rape and sentenced to four life terms in April 2025, in addition to an existing 18-year sentence.

“This matter demonstrates how DNA enabled the consolidation and prosecution of multiple linked cases against a single serial offender,” said Makeke.

In the State vs Zozi, forensic DNA analysis connected the accused to an astonishing 31 cases across several provinces. Eleven Eastern Cape matters have already been finalised, resulting in a term of life in prison and ten 15-year terms. The remaining linked matters span North West, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng.

According to Makeke, DNA evidence was central in connecting these geographically dispersed cases to one perpetrator.

The accused in the matter involving the State vs Lechesa was tied to 16 separate matters via DNA evidence, with 10 already finalised, including sentences of two life imprisonments, three 15-year terms, and five 10-year terms.

The DNA prioritisation initiative, which expanded in August 2022 to include murder cases, is hailed by the NPA as a crucial instrument.

“The NPA supports the broader use of forensic DNA, where it can strengthen prosecutions across serious crime categories,” Makeke said, committing to the strategic and effective use of this evidence to advance justice and protect vulnerable victims.

While the NPA points to significant successes, civil society organisations on the frontline of the GBV crisis offer a more complex perspective.

Juanita du Preez, spokesperson for Action Society, agrees that DNA evidence is one of the most critical tools in the fight against violent crime.

“It offers reliable, scientific proof that can secure convictions even when victims cannot testify or where perpetrators are unknown,” she noted.

For victims unable to identify their attackers due to trauma or death, she stressed: “DNA becomes the primary route to justice.”

Action Society has supported several cases where convictions hinged entirely on forensic evidence.

The DNA initiative, Du Preez conceded, has produced positive outcomes, supporting early arrests and faster case movement in some instances.

In Action Society’s experience, DNA is the critical link in many GBV, rape, and child murder cases, she said.

However, Du Preez cautioned that these improvements remain “limited and inconsistent”.

“When processed timeously, DNA removes dangerous offenders from communities and prevents serial offending. When delayed, it weakens prosecutions, collapses cases, and deepens the trauma carried by victims and families who wait for justice,” she said.

The much-anticipated ‘Rapid DNA’ is not a standalone solution; it succeeds only when supported by trained personnel, an effective chain of custody, and clear coordination with the police and the NPA.

“The initiative shows potential and has delivered isolated successes; however, it has not yet achieved the national impact that was promised,” she said.

Du Preez highlighted that turnaround times remain uneven, and the “underlying structural failures inside SAPS Forensic Science Laboratories persist”.

Action Society cites several structural barriers, including poor evidence handling at the police station level, severe shortages of trained forensic analysts, procurement failures that halt chemical supply, inadequate coordination, and persistent court management failures leading to repeated postponements.

The starkest reminder of the systemic challenge is the backlog. Du Preez referred to the figure presented to the Portfolio Committee on Police in March 2025, which reported that the SAPS DNA backlog exceeds 140,000 cases, many involving rape, child abuse, and murder.

“This is the latest formally acknowledged number in the public domain and reflects the depth of the systemic crisis,” she stated.

Echoing this cautious assessment is Siyabulela Monakali, spokesperson for Ilitha Labantu, a civil society organisation supporting women and children affected by violence.

Monakali believes DNA evidence has the potential to strengthen prosecutions but stressed that for it to make a meaningful contribution, “the broader system responsible for collecting, preserving, and processing evidence must function properly”.

From Ilitha Labantu’s vantage point, the widespread impact of Rapid DNA is not yet felt.

Survivors they assist still face obstacles long before DNA becomes relevant, including poor investigations, incomplete statements, and inconsistent follow-up.

“With a national GBV conviction rate of roughly 8%, it is clear that many cases fall through the cracks long before forensic results are processed,” Monakali said.

He emphasised that while quicker DNA analysis can strengthen a case and support survivors during sentencing — as seen in the Makaula matter — many do not reach this stage because their cases are weakened early on.

“We frequently encounter cases being withdrawn or dismissed due to inconclusive evidence. Faster DNA processing is helpful, but it cannot compensate for weaknesses in the initial stages of an investigation,” Monakali warned.

Both civil society bodies agree that for South Africa to resolve the crisis of delayed justice, the focus must move beyond technology alone.

Action Society continues to call for structural reform, including public-private partnerships to reduce the backlog, better staffing, a modernised case management system linking all relevant parties, and clear national turnaround targets.

Monakali concluded: “Rapid DNA technology should be seen as one component within a far larger system that still requires urgent strengthening… For survivors to experience justice, every part of the system must work together with efficiency, accountability, and genuine commitment.”

Have thoughts on this topic or other subjects you’d like us to explore? Want to share your experiences? Reach out to me at karen.singh@inl.co.za – I’d love to hear from you!

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