Gender-based violence related cases are expected to see a boost, as the police has cleared just over 99% of its DNA sample backlogs.
Police Minister Bheki Cele says that as of yesterday, the DNA backlog stood at 1 600, which is a significant drop from over 241 000.
He was delivering the country’s third quarter crime statistics.
Meanwhile, the DNA Act, or Criminal Law Amendment Act will come into operation on March 3rd.
Minister Cele says that this is a crucial weapon to fight Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), especially when it comes to identifying offenders.
He says that the amended legislation will remove serial rapists from the streets.
From October to December last year, nearly 5 000 suspects were arrested for these related crimes.
He also welcomed the nine life sentences served on Mohydien Pangakar.
He was found guilty of the murder and rape of eight-year-old Tazne van Wyk, and for other sexual violence cases.
Minister Cele says that communities play a large role in the fight against GBVF.
