Massive backlog of firearm cases at SAPS Forensic Lab: Mkhabela – SABC News
Head of the Ballistics Section at the Police Forensic Science Laboratory Mishak Mkhabela says there is a massive backlog of firearm-related cases.
Mkhabela is testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria.
He says his unit is battling to keep up with more than 41 000 cases awaiting analysis nationwide.
Mishak told the commission that the Pretoria lab alone is holding over 29 000 firearms, many linked to murder investigations.
He also says limited staff and storage space is worsening delays in court cases.
Mishak says, “Commissioner, the figure speaks for themselves. I always say if anyone wants to appreciate the level of high crime involving firearms in South Africa, one must just visit my strong room where I keep exhibits.”
He adds, “Then one will appreciate that we are living in a dangerous country. Commissioner, at any given point, I have more than 29 000 firearms and each of those firearms, a victim has been killed and I only have 42 analysts to handle that volume of work.”