KwaZulu-Natal’s long-standing forensic backlog, blamed for delaying justice and prolonging the pain of victims is finally getting a decisive shake-up.
The newly handed-over Forensic Science Laboratory in Mayville is being positioned as a critical turning point, fast-tracking evidence processing and bringing victims closer to justice.
For years, police in the province have battled with fragmented, outdated and even flood-prone facilities, conditions that not only slowed investigations but, at times, risked the integrity of crucial evidence.
Now, that changes. Speaking at the handover, Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale said the facility marks a shift in how crime is fought.
“Forensic science is the backbone of modern policing. It allows us to move from assumptions to facts that stand in court,” he said.
At the heart of the new lab is speed, and for victims, that could mean the difference between years of waiting and timely justice.
Backlogs in DNA testing and forensic analysis have long left families in limbo, delaying court cases and even burials. Now, with Biology, Chemistry and Questioned Documents units centralised under one roof, turnaround times are expected to improve significantly.
Deputy Minister Shela Polly Boshielo highlighted the human toll behind those delays.
“Families have been forced to wait for weeks, sometimes over a month, to bury their loved ones. This is what we are fixing,” she said.
The facility, based in Durban, will immediately strengthen investigations, particularly in violent crime and gender-based violence cases where forensic evidence is key.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said centralising operations will boost efficiency and tighten control.
“This will improve how evidence is handled, processed and ultimately used to secure convictions,” he said.
Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli called the development a breakthrough for communities.
“This is a shift from reactive to intelligence-led policing. For victims, it confirms their calls for justice are being heard,” he said.
While the Mayville lab is a stopgap solution, it forms part of a bigger plan, a permanent, multi-billion rand forensic facility in Pinetown.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said the long-term project is already in motion.
“What we are handing over today is not the final destination, but it is a vital step forward,” he said.
The Mayville facility, secured until 2030, is expected to immediately ease pressure on the system, transforming KwaZulu-Natal from a bottleneck in forensic processing into a province better equipped to deliver justice.
For victims who have waited too long, the message is simple. The system is finally catching up.
