Cele: DNA backlog will be cleared by January

MIDRAND - Police Minister Bheki Cele is adamant the issue of DNA backlogs will be done away with by January 2023.

Speaking at President Cyril Ramaphosa's second gender-based violence summit earlier, Cele says more resources have been brought in to fast-track DNA testing and bring perpetrators to book.

READ: Cele: Substantial reduction in DNA backlog

Cele on Monday said the DNA backlog has been reduced to 71,000 cases.

This is down from the 241,000 case backlog recorded during the first quarter of 2021/2022.

"With a full hope that come January we'll do away with backlog. We have put mechanisms, we've strengthened laboraties, more people have been employed especially in the Western Cape and Pretoria."