The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has described the establishment of a new forensic science laboratory in Mayville, west of Durban, as a significant step toward strengthening the criminal justice response to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
The development follows a 2025 CGE investigation into the implementation of Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF), which focuses on justice, safety and protection.
The inquiry identified inadequate DNA processing capacity as a key contributor to case backlogs, investigative delays, and weakened prosecution outcomes.
Following this investigation, the Commission recommended, among others, that the justice cluster prioritise the establishment of a fully capacitated DNA forensic laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal to improve forensic turnaround times and support case finalisation.
The laboratory is expected to enhance evidence management, reduce DNA processing delays, and contribute to more effective investigations and prosecutions in GBVF-related cases.
The CGE welcomed the launch of the facility, saying it marks a “critical milestone” that affirms the Commission’s recommendations for a strengthened criminal justice response to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
“This development marks a significant step towards improving forensic capacity and enhancing access to justice for survivors,” Commission’s spokesperson, Java Baloyi said.
The Commission commends this intervention as a concrete response to its recommendations, noting its potential to strengthen evidence management and support more effective prosecutions.
The CGE also called on the Justice Cluster to replicate similar facilities in other provinces to eliminate delays linked to outstanding DNA analysis and to ensure equitable access to justice nationwide.
The CGE emphasised that it will continue to monitor the rollout to ensure these interventions deliver measurable outcomes, including reduced forensic backlogs, improved prosecution success rates, and strengthened accountability in GBVF-related cases. – SAnews.gov.za
