4th November 2009

Today's presentation to the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police by the South African Police Service brought to light a new disaster related to the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill.

"It appears the technocrats who are supposed to come up with the implementation phases of the Bill are failing to meet our expectations," said Mr VB Ndlovu, IFP Spokesperson on Police.

"They failed to communicate with other stakeholders, like the Department of Correctional Services. There is no formal forum where they meet as stakeholders to discuss matters pertaining to the Bill. 

And the costing of the Bill is very high," said Mr Ndlovu. All this has placed the Committee in the awkward position of debating the integrity and processing of the Bill as it stands.

The implementation of this Bill remains crucial to enhancing the investigative capacity of the SAPS, which is bound to assist in a dramatic reduction of crime.

The IFP views this new delay as a failure by the Head of Department to implement the policy of the Ministry.

Ndlovu added: "The Minister and the Portfolio Committee have done their work, but the technocrats are dragging their feet and giving us all a bad name in the process. This isn't good for anyone."

Contact:
Velaphi Ndlovu MP,     083 625 0803 or
Liezl van der Merwe,    083 611 7470.