President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the commencement of parts of the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act, which will give the country’s law enforcement additional tools around DNA collection and usage in capturing and prosecuting criminals.
From 31 January, a suspect arrested and charged with a schedule 8 offence will be required to provide a DNA sample which will be uploaded onto the National Forensics DNA database. Schedule 8 offences include some of the country’s most serious violent crimes – including murder and rape.
Civil society organisation Action Society has welcomed the promulgation by Ramaphosa, which it says will assist in addressing cold cases, and should see an increase in successful prosecutions.
Read more here: https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/551062/new-dna-laws-for-south-africa-from-february/