The Andy Kawa case has demonstrated the importance for SA to have a well-functioning scientific laboratory to be able to match a suspect’s DNA swiftly.
In 2022, when it seemed investigations into Kawa’s 2010 rape had gone cold, Moses Gqesha was arrested for stealing a lawnmower.
His DNA taken for purposes of the theft investigation was later linked to the samples taken from Kawa after her rape.
It took two years for his DNA to match, and another year for the police to find him and arrest him for the rape.
“The crux of the matter is that too often, someone’s docket doesn’t even reach trial because of weak information,” Kawa said.
Another issue was that forensic labs lacked funding, which led to a shortage of equipment, outdated technology, low morale and too few forensic scientists.
“The backlog means cases are delayed and this leads to a low conviction rate.
“If the government says things like ‘gender-based violence is a pandemic’ they need to walk the walk.
“We need the Treasury to plough money into forensic labs.
“Currently, the criminals run our country with impunity because they are not taken to task. Meanwhile, we live like we are in jail.
“As much as this case looks at the failure of our justice system, for SA to end gender-based violence the people here need to look at their lives and commit to change,” she said.
The Herald
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