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Archive for December, 2008
Newsflash Dec 2008
Sunday, December 14th, 2008
It was whilst drafting the annual news-letter, that I received a call from the Department of Justice, advising me that the new DNA Bill had been adopted by Cabinet. I sat there, alone, and screamed out loud, as this was but a distant vision 4 years ago. I wonder how many of you reading this newsletter, have heard me talking about the critical importance of changing legislation in SA to accommodate a National DNA Database? I hope that you too scream out loud when you read this news, as without this fundamental change in legislation, the future potential of a National DNA Database will remain a dream. It is a wonderful way to end an otherwise tumultuous year – the adoption of the new Bill provides hope for the New Year as it paves the way towards crime resolution, detection and prevention. But the adoption of the Bill now requires public submissions, and lots of them, commenting on the Bill – and it is here that each one of you reading this newsletter, must take a stand and make the time to email your submissions to Parliament ℅ LiLouw@justice.gov.za as to why you think it is fundamental that this law is passed in SA. Your email will not be one in a string of unread emails that circulates endlessly, crying out for a change. Your email WILL EFFECT that change, and the more people you appeal to and ask to comment on the Bill, the more chance we have of ensuring that the Bill is passed by Parliament in February 2009. A copy of the Bill can be accessed on www.pmg.org.za If ever there was a time to tangibly make a difference in SA, it is now. Please – make yourself heard.
Publication of Bill for public comment
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008Cabinet has approved the introduction of the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill, 2008, into Parliament. The Bill forms part of the overhaul of the criminal justice system and will provide an essential mechanism to enhance the investigation of crime. The Bill aims to strengthen two pivotal aspects of our forensic crime fighting capacity, namely the collection, storage and use of fingerprinting and DNA evidence. All interested parties are invited to submit their comment on the Bill to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, at the address below, which comment will be submitted to the Committees of Parliament dealing with the legislation. In view of the urgent need for this legislation it is envisaged that Parliament will be processing the Bill at the beginning of the 2009 session.
Comments may be submitted to the Secretary to Parliament, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000, but should preferably be emailed to lilouw@justice.gov.za
The Star, Friday – 5 December 2008
Friday, December 5th, 2008
Cops’ fingerprint boost
The cabinet has given the green light to proposed changes to the law to allow the police to access databases holding the fingerprints of millions of citizens and foreigners, in a move to improve their ability to track down suspects and boost conviction rates. The draft Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill is expected to come before parliament early next year, Justice Ministry spokesperson Zolile Nqayi said yesterday.
The cabinet has given the green light to proposed changes to the law to allow the police to access databases holding the fingerprints of millions of citizens and foreigners, in a move to improve their ability to track down suspects and boost conviction rates. The draft Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill is expected to come before parliament early next year, Justice Ministry spokesperson Zolile Nqayi said yesterday.
In addition to expanding police access to fingerprints, the draft bill will also increase their powers to take and store fingerprints and other “biometric materials” – and to establish a DNA database as a crime-fighting tool.
The SAPS has access only to fingerprints stored in its own database. The Criminal Procedure Act does not make it compulsory that fingerprints be taken, even when someone is convicted of an offence.
BY GAYE DAVIS
