DNA backlog fears as fifth woman found dead in Kempton Park
'Saps' must find whoever is responsible. If DNA evidence is allowed to disappear into the backlog, another woman may pay for that failure with her life.'
A fifth woman's body has been discovered in Kempton Park, South Africa, raising concerns over the country's extensive forensic backlog. The latest victim is among five found in the past two months, all partially clothed and with signs of violence. Police have not officially linked the deaths, but authorities have formed a specialized task force and advised women to be vigilant.
Action Society, a local organization, has warned that the slow processing of DNA evidence could enable repeat offenders to strike again, highlighting that 4.6% of 10,493 cases processed between July 2021 and May 2022 involved repeat offenders. Action Society spokesperson Juanita du Preez emphasized that while catching the perpetrator is crucial, the backlog hinders investigators from identifying dangerous criminals.
The search for Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, who vanished after a run on September 9, continues, with her family awaiting confirmation of remains found on Saturday. The identity and cause of death for the fifth victim remain undetermined, as the forensic system struggles to keep up with the demands, with only 3.5% of samples processed within the legally required 30 days.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
