17 Dec 2019

The National Database System (NDD) is currently under construction as per section (23)1 of the Forensic Procedures Act No 31 of 2014 providing for the NDD.

The Minister of Defence Justice and Security Mr Kagiso Mmusi told Parliament that currently there was no DNA profile of all convicted criminals pending the said construction.

He said the database under construction was categorised into 8 eight distinct indices as provided for by section 27 (2) of the act which included; convicted offenders; crime scene, prohibited immigrants, missing persons; serious offenders; suspects; unknown deceased persons and volunteers.

He explained that the construction of a DNA database was a complex and involved process requiring specialised materials.

Minister Mmusi said the procurement of necessary specialised materials was delayed by procurement disputes which had since been resolved in 2018 with the materials having been subsequently delivered in September 2019.

The minister was answering a question from Selebi Phikwe Member of Parliament Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse who wanted confirmation on the existence of a National Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Database or data bank containing inter alia DNA profile of all convicted criminals.ENDS