President Ramaphosa to officiate at the opening of the SAPS DNA Analysis Lab and Women In Law Enforcement Parade

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, 31 August 2023, officiate at the expansion of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Science Biology Laboratory and subsequently address the Women in Law Enforcement Parade. 

The unveiling of the expansion of the SAPS Forensic Science Biology Laboratory and Women in Law Enforcement Parade will take place consecutively at Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape Province.

The South African Police Service initiated the expansion of the Forensic Science Biology  Lab following shortcomings identified in addressing the backlog in the analysis of DNA retrieved from crime scenes. 

President Ramaphosa will officially open the expanded Biology DNA Analysis Lab and tour the facility, which is installed with advanced equipment to analyse DNA. The lab will improve turnaround times in DNA analyses and reinforce the fight against Gender Based Violence and Femicide. 

Following the unveiling of the lab, President Ramaphosa will proceed to the Wolfson Stadium to address the Women In Law Enforcement Parade, which encompasses women in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster. 

The details of the event are as follows: 

Phase One: Opening and Tour of the Gqeberha Biology Section DNA Lab

Date: Thursday, 31 August 2023
Time: 09h00
Venue: Eben Donges Building, North End, Gqerberha

Phase Two: Women In Law Enforcement Parade

Date: Thursday, 31 August 2023
Time: 11h30
Venue: Isaac Wolfson Stadium, 7 Stofile Street, Kwazakhele, Gqerberha

Media RSVP: Brigadier Athlenda Mathe - +27 82 040 8808

SAPS Media enquiries: Major General Mathapelo Peters on +27 76 065 6502 or Ms Lirandzu Themba on +27 82 604 9080

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on +27 82 835 6315

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria