A detailed dossier compiled by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has blown open the lid on alleged criminal activities by police working within the national forensic science laboratory in Pretoria.

Contained within the dossier is damning information on the alleged irregular decommissioning of a multi-million rand DNA database machine, the theft of R500-million worth of narcotics evidence, the apparent sabotaging of court cases and the concealing of information reflecting the true situation of the laboratory's caseload backlog.

The dossier was given to National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega nearly two months ago .

According to Popcru, which is calling for an investigation, police management have done nothing about the allegations, while whistle-blowers have been victimised - with two being subjected to internal disciplinary hearings.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and gender violence NGOs, DNA databases are essential in the fight for justice.

NPA spokesman Vuyisile Calaza said DNA was crucial in proving the guilt of an accused in a sexual offence.

People Opposed to Women Abuse (Powa) director Nhlanhla Mokwena said a database of DNA from perpetrators of rape would make seeking justice easier.

A report by the Medical Research Council and the Study of Violence - involving the tracking of rape cases through the criminal justice system - showed how DNA reports more often than not led to an acquittal than a conviction.

The report said DNA reports were seldom available because kits were infrequently analysed and the suspects' blood rarely taken for comparison against any DNA identified by the laboratory.

Popcru's Gauteng provincial chairman Vusi Shabalala said they had spent months collecting information to compile the dossier, which contained information on the alleged irregular decommissioning of a R46-million DNA database machine - crucial parts of which were sold for scrap metal.

Police spokesman Brigadier Phuti Setati said the matter was receiving attention.

"Popcru is being engaged. We cannot discuss the contents until the matter has been addressed," he said.

Police ministry spokesman Zweli Mnisi said Minister Nathi Mthethwa had been briefed on the allegations.

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Thu May 23 19:23:07 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 12, 2012

CYBORICO

ja corruptions is our daily bread in sa, components of a very expansive piece of equipment sold for scap metal?
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Sep 12, 2012

ThrippleGee

And President Zuma will ask South African Media and tell them that things are not that BAD, i wonder if he is getting all this advices from Maharaj, i also wonder if the Ministers are reporting to him or he never reads what they sent to him as a report or they are sending him wrong information because if he was hands on he will know that all sectors of government, from Education to Health, SAPS and the rest are all havoc, but he got Audacity to say things are not Bad. ANd people wonder why Malema and I want this man OUT hahahahahaha
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Sep 12, 2012

cornelius

The whole ANC should resign, they cannot run a country.

@ThrippleGee, I agree with you except to say that Malema is even more dangerous, he is dishonest, greedy and has dictatorial tendencies, the kind of person who will only thrive in the kind of chaotic environment that he is creating now. He must not be brought near any position of power.
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Sep 12, 2012

s.cold

fukc you guyz,,,u like putting every blame to Zuma,,,do you expect him to be omnipresent,,,,he must solve only existing cases but he can not prevent such things to happen idiots
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