16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children

1. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR VARIOUS POSTS ADVERTISED FOR THE FORENSIC SERVICES: SR 12&10

2. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORM FOR THE FORENSIC SERVICES POST YOU WISH TO APPLY FOR.

The closing date for the applications is 2012-12-14

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DIRECTIVES WHEN APPLYING:

•    The application form must be completed in your own handwriting. All instructions on the application form must be adhered to. Failure to do so may result in the application being turned down.

•    An original application form and CV must be submitted. Copies will not be accepted.

•    This form must be sworned to or affirmed and then be signed in the presence of a
Commissioner of Oaths.

•    The CV must contain full particulars of all boards on which an applicant serves,
remunerated work outside the public service, career promotions/appointments, career
developments, career history, current studies and qualifications.

•    Certified copies of an applicant’s ID document, motor vehicle driver’s licence, all educational qualifications obtained and service certificates of previous employers stating the post occupied, must also be submitted and be attached to every application.

•    Applications must be mailed timeously, prior to the due date. Late applications will not be accepted or considered. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.**

•    Correspondence may be conducted with successful candidates only.

•    Short-listed candidates will be interviewed only on the date and time specified by the relevant selection committee.

•    In filling the above post, an applicant whose appointment will promote representivity may receive preference.

•    The South African Police Service is not under any obligation to fill a post after it has
been advertised.

•    Although the post is advertised, the National Commissioner may withdraw the post from the advertisement, readvertise the post or fill the post by transferring a person at the same level where this is deemed to be in the interest of service delivery.

•    The appointment of the successful applicant will come into effect on the first day of the month following the date on which the National Commissioner approved the appointment.

•   ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO EITHER:

1. LIEUTENANT COLONEL JH KLOPPER,  TEL: 012 421-019

OR

2. CAPTAIN GV MASHAKANE, TEL: 012 421-0539

**(MAIL YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND PREFERABLY 14 DAYS BEFORE THE DUE DATE.    IN SOME INSTANCES POSTAL ITEMS TAKE MORE THAN 21 DAYS TO REACH THE FSL. IF YOU SEND YOUR APPLICATION BY COURIER, SEND IT DOOR TO DOOR. EACH APPLICATION, CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST EITHER BE STAPLED AT THE TOP LEFT- HAND CORNER OR BOUND ON THE LEFT SIDE. DO NOT USE PAPER CLIPS OR STRINGS.)

The new state-of-the-art Forensic Lab in Plattefkloof, Cape Town

In the wake of the press report below, I was personally advised yesterday that an advertisement for some of the 800 Forensic posts, will be published either today or tomorrow. Please watch our website / facebook and twitter pages for a copy of the advertisement if you wish to apply for a Forensic Analyst post at the state Forensic Lab.

Vanessa Lynch

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa (Picture: Sapa)

This report first appeared on News24 on the 21/11/2012

Cape Town – Hundreds of additional forensic analysts will be employed within the current financial year, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Wednesday.

“One of the fundamental components of the criminal justice system is ensuring that evidence presented before a court of law is accurate, and can enable police to secure convictions,” he said in written reply to a parliamentary question.

Central to the collection and analysis of such evidence, was ensuring that the SA Police Service forensic science laboratories were effectively capacitated and effective, he said.

In 2009/10, the SAPS forensic science laboratories received 207 660 entries and in 2010/11, the number increased by 26% to 260 826.

Increased confidence

The number of entries received in 2011/12 increased by an additional 23% to 320 729, and between 1 April and 30 September this year, 209 431 entries were received – a 67% increase in comparison to the same period the previous year.

The substantial increase in the number of exhibits submitted to the FSL since 1 April 2009 was evidence of the increased confidence investigating officers had in the ability of the forensic services to contribute to the investigation of crime and bring perpetrators to book, Mthethwa said.

“The increase is going to be addressed through the employment of [an] additional 800 forensic analysts within the current financial year. As police leadership, we are encouraged by the progress attained thus far.”

This progress could be attributed to, among others, modernised systems coupled with adequately-equipped human capital, which ultimately resulted in improved turn-around time in terms of processing forensic case work.

Positive turn-around

The aggressive launch and execution of forensic awareness programmes in the previous financial year among frontline officers enhanced their understanding of what forensic services could do in supporting crime investigation to ultimately increase the conviction rate.

Over the past few years, there had been “unsatisfactory reports around how courts could not finalise cases on the court roll, including the reasons for postponement of cases in criminal courts and all these were attributed to the forensic delays”.

“However we are now beginning to experience a positive turn-around strategy. What becomes important is to ensure that we sustain these best practices, continue to capacitate this division, and ensure that it continues to become an additional arsenal in the fight against crime,” Mthethwa said.

In a statement later, the Democratic Alliance’s Dianne Kohler Barnard said the increase in cases sent to the forensic laboratories was a clear indication that crime “is up massively in South Africa”, but equally that the SAPS needed to increase the number of forensic science laboratories.

The new state-of-the-art Forensic Lab in Plattekloof, Cape Town

Case backlog

Only four forensic science laboratories fell under SAPS. These labs had to deal with cases from all nine provinces.

“Nor can one discount the fact that much of the crime-related laboratory work goes to the utterly dysfunctional forensic chemistry laboratories that fall under the health ministry,” she said.

While the SAPS had worked hard to reduce the backlog of cases over the past few years, decreasing it to just over 3 000, the tide seemed to have turned once again.

“It is past time that the minister focused on this division and ensure that the ministry plans for more forensic science laboratories to be established,” Kohler Barnard said.

Science Café: 14 November 2012

Vanessa and I were asked to help facilitate a Science Café, entitled “A Date with DNA”, organised by the University of Zululand Science Centre in Richards Bay in KZN. This was an entirely new and exciting experience for us. The afternoon started off with Derek from the Science Centre giving us a fun tour of all the exhibits – we were like kids and tried out many of the enchanting and educational activities they have on display. If ever you are in Richards Bay, it is well worth a visit. Have a look at their website www.unizulsc.com.

Vanessa Lynch and Carolyn Hancock in Richards Bay

That evening the Science Café took place at the Elephant and I coffee shop in Richard’s bay and was well attended by members of the public. The café was “decorated” with our DNA CSI crime scene posters as well as wonderful table decorations of the DNA double helix. A mock crime scene was also laid out and our crime scene tape put to good use as an excellent way of demarking a crime scene. I started with an introduction to the science behind DNA profiling and a short discussion on the aims of the DNA Project and the benefits of DNA evidence in crime detection and resolution. Vanessa then completed the initial part of the evening by talking about her personal role as the founder of the DNA Project, the value of DNA as a criminal intelligence tool and the importance of crime scene preservation. She also touched on the urgent need for changes to the South African legislation (Criminal Procedures Act).

Carolyn and Vanessa with the UZ Science Centre Team

After everyone had a break and enjoyed the snacks on offer the floor was opened to questions and a good discussion ensued on a range of issues such as what the public should do if they have to wait for the SAPS forensic investigators to arrive, the current status of the legislation, ethical concerns regarding the use of DNA profiling and a database and a little more of the science. We both really enjoyed the evening and found the “café” type event an exciting, informal way in which to create DNA awareness in our communities. A big thank you from us to everyone at the Science Centre for setting up this informative event.

Carolyn

Johannesburg – The DNA of a man accused of murdering a Pretoria North woman was found at the crime scene, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria heard on Wednesday.

Forensic expert Major Shamil Govan testified that Sipho Masiqa’s DNA was found on a cigarette butt at the murder scene.

“The chance of someone else having this DNA is one in 6.8 trillion people,” he told the court, adding that the world’s population was about seven billion.

“We expect to see this DNA profile again if there were 1 000 earths. The DNA is the same in all areas. It is a match.”

Masiqa, 34, Raymond Matshaba, 27 and Bradley Molefe, 34, are accused of murdering Thifhelimbilu Mashau, her 8-month-old baby Avheani, and her 4-year-old daughter Adivhaho in their home in July 2010.

They have pleaded not guilty to the murders, and to charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, and rape.

No sperm, blood

The State alleges they strangled the two children and robbed their mother of her car and other goods at their Theresa Park home, before taking her to Ga-Rankuwa, where they raped and murdered her.

Govan also testified about condoms found at Mashau’s house.

“Despite multiple analysis of each of the condoms, not enough DNA or no DNA, could be found on them.” The condoms tested negative for sperm and blood.

During proceedings on Wednesday, former Constable Simon Tswai testified that he arrested Molefe on August 4 2010 in Ga-Rankuwa.

He said he read him his rights and questioned him about items stolen from Mashau’s house.

Molefe told him they were hidden under a bridge on the M17 in Shoshanguve and they drove to the location. “He then pointed out those things to me under the bridge,” Tswai said.

They found a DVD player and parts of a home sound system.

On Tuesday, the court heard that Mashau’s car was chopped up, that some parts were sold and that the rest of the vehicle was burnt within a day of her murder.

This article first appeared in www.news24.com on the 2012-11-07

If you live in the Durban area and want to stand up for No Violence against Women and Children during the 16 days of activism which runs between the 25th November and 10th December 2012, please help ‘grow’ their Garden of Hope and Healing by collecting plastic bottles which will be transformed into “flowers” – an enduring symbol of rebirth and commemoration – to be “planted” in the specially-created Garden of Hope and Healing at Durban Botanic Gardens for the duration of the 16 Days campaign. Each flower will honour a victim or a survivor of abuse, or be a visual pledge of working towards a world without rape and violence.

Nokuthula Cele - volunteer: Sydenham Community Resource Centre

How can you help?

Garden of Hope and Healing
Project: 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, 2012
25 November – 10 December 2012

Calling for Empty Plastic Bottles!

We want your empty 2 litre cool drink bottles with lids and 2 litre white milk cartons, for a wonderful art project to take place at Botanic Gardens for 16 Days of No Violence against Women and Children!

Please drop off your empty, cleaned, bottles at either of two collection points – the Visitor’s Centre in the Durban Botanic Gardens or at Diakonia Council of Churches in Diakonia Ave in the city’s CBD.

The Garden of Hope and Healing is an innovative collaboration between eThekwini Municipality’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) working with Diakonia Council of Church’s Thursdays in Black Campaign, Sydenham Resource Centre, Durban Botanic Gardens, PRC Men’s Forum and various like-minded NGOs.

The flowers will all be made from waste plastic – sending out a strong recycling message that discarded waste can be transformed into something of beauty and value.

A series of workshops will be hosted by Sydenham Resource Centre ahead of the campaign. There will also be flower-making workshops at Durban Botanic Gardens for the duration of the 16 days campaign.  Members of the public are welcome to participate in the flower-making workshops and contribute their flowers to the garden. Workshops for large groups / corporates / NGOs can be run on request.
As part of the project, there will be an exhibition and resource material offering information and support to those affected by violence against women and children, and there will be a programme of discussions, workshops and events to generate an increase level of awareness amongst South Africans relating to the incidence of violence against women and children, how it manifests itself within South African society,  the negative impact on these  vulnerable groups and to  challenge perpetrators of these offences to change their behaviour.

Nomfundo Ngcobo – volunteer: Sydenham Community Resource Centre

The garden will also feature “a Bottle Tree” with hundreds of messages sealed in tiny glass bottles, from the PRC Men’s Forum, and there will be a symbolic “Washing Line” with black garments – paying tribute toThursdays in Black, a programme run by Diakonia Council of Churches to encourage men and women to wear black every Thursday to raise awareness around issues of gender justice, violence against women and corrective rape.

For more information about the campaign, contact Illa Thompson on illa@pubmat.co.za / 031 2011 638. For more information about the flower-making workshops, contact Dawn or Merle from the Sydenham Community Resource Centre on 031 207 4393.



This last weekend I teamed up with a few ‘Impi warriors’ to compete in the Cape’s 2012 ‘Impi Challenge’ – a 12km extreme obstacle course challenge. We entered as “The DNA Project Team”, of course, and we rose to the occassion!

DNA Project Impi's rearing to go!

It was a great way to raise awareness for our cause and the work we do, whilst having some fun, experiencing some camaraderie, getting some exercise and taking ourselves out of our comfort zones — and I am not just talking mud here – I am talking launching off high platforms into dams, climbing impossibly high structures without safety nets and crawling through tunnels filled with water with a few inches of air in which to breathe.

Although the work we do as The DNA Project largely focuses on crime, which is such a negative aspect of our country, it also brings us into contact with the best side of our nation — our gees!

We don’t have to always dwell in the negative — we need to be constructive about how we are going to take action about a situation we do not like — in some ways the approach we had to take this weekend, as a team, when facing each of the obstacles we had to overcome in order to move forward. You can either throw your ams up and say I can’t do it and turn back, leave or lie down and wait for someone else to do it, or you can mount those obstacles together — because trust me you need a team to do it! And at the end, you will overcome those obstacles; they will be challenging, but they are not insurmountable.

Vanessa Lynch being branded before the start!

Some people often ask me if I think we will ever have DNA legislation in this country; or if I think we will ever have the capacity in South Africa to cope with the demand in DNA profiling that legislation will impose on our forensic labs, if the legislation is passed; or whether our first on crime scene responders will ever learn the value of preserving a crime scene. My own mother once asked me if I thought I was farting against thunder! Well, my answer to that is that I must fart very loudly! Because I do believe these changes will happen and I do believe they are happening right now. And if we all take a page from the Impi warriors book, if we keep focused, stay together, be prepared to face the challenges and still keep a sense of humour — then anything is possible!

And coincidentally, Impi by Johnny Clegg’s band Juluka, was my father’s all time favourite song.

Impi! wo ‘nans’ impi iyeza
Obani bengathinta amabhubesi?

Vanessa Lynch

Impi warriors Fighting Crime with Science (and mud!)

Click here to listen to ‘Impi’ by Juluka

Four International Forensic DNA Experts will be presenting in Cape Town and Durban next week on “Forensic DNA profiling and the Law”. There will be no charge for attendance and refreshments will be served. The events are sponsored by inqaba biotec.

If you wish to attend the seminar in Cape Town on Monday 22 October 2012, please RSVP to: Paula Allen by Email paula.allen@uct.ac.za

If you wish to attend the seminar in Durban on Tuesday 23 October 2012, please RSVP to:  Mrs Devashnee Chinniah • 0312608317 / chinniahd@ukzn.ac.za

Click here for full event details for Cape Town DNA Forensics Seminar 22 Oct 2012

Click here for full event details for DNA Forensics Seminar in Durban, 23 Oct 2012

Who should attend?
Judges, magistrates, prosecutors, attorneys, advocates, members of the police force, first on crime scene responders, scientists, “CSI” fans (learn the difference between fact and fiction!) and other crime related bodies.

The following Topics will be covered:

“The Impact of Forensic DNA Testing on the Legal-Judicial System” — Mr Ed Huffine

“International Perspectives on the Changing Application of DNA Databases for Criminal Justice and Humanitarian Purposes” -Mr Chris Asplen

“DNA Forensics for the Protection of Children” – Dr Maria Corazon De Ungria

Attorney Jose M.  Jose will also be in attendance and will be available to speak with audience members on his area of expertise, “A Judicial Rule on DNA Evidence: the Philippine Experience”

Seminar presenters:

Chris Asplen – Mr Asplen is the Founder and Director of DNA 4 Africa, former Assistant U.S. Attorney and local Prosecutor specializing in the prosecution of sex crime and child abuse.
He was also formerly the Executive Director of the National Commission on the Future of DNA
Evidence for the U.S. Department of Justice and Director of the DNA Unit for the National District
Attorneys Association. Currently, he consults with local, state, and Foreign governments and law enforcement agencies on the use of forensic DNA technology.

Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria
Dr. De Ungria currently heads the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences
Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC. This laboratory conducts research, training and actual casework on enhancing the country’s capacity to conduct DNA analysis for forensic applications. In 2011, Dr. De Ungria was appointed as the Director of the Program on Forensic and Ethnicity of the Philippine Genome Center. In this new appointment, Dr. De Ungria is tasked to further expand her work in the development of DNA forensics as well as in studying Filipino ethnicities, to initiate projects with other scientists and universities in order to magnify the benefits of rigorous scientific research in the Philippines.

Jose M.  Jose
Attorney Jose is a Supervising Lawyer at the Office of Legal Aid at the College of Law of the University of the Philippines in Manila from where he graduated in 1988. He is also practising at Jose Law Offices in Manila and handles various criminal as well as election cases. The Philippines might be the only country which implemented and repealed the Death Penalty twice; as well as promulgated a rule specifically on DNA Evidence apart from the Rules on Evidence. The Rule includes a specific section on post-conviction DNA testing which opened the door for a re-examination of possible weaknesses in the process of criminal investigation and trial in the Philippines. The Rule is very focused on DNA and will be a good springboard for discussion on its legal merit.

Ed Huffine
Mr  Huffine leads Bode’s international sales and marketing efforts for the successful development of international projects at Bode as Vice President of International Development. In this role, Mr Huffine also advises and assists nations in developing or upgrading their forensic DNA systems.  Mr Huffine has more than 22-years of experience in forensic science and human DNA identification. His forensic career began in 1990 with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a DNA laboratory to assist in the identification of fatal air crash victims. Mr Huffine served as the Director of the Forensic Sciences Program for the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) from 1999 – 2004. From a central base of operations in Bosnia, Mr Huffine was the architect of the commission’s Forensic Sciences Program which identified more than 15,000 individuals, and has served as a model for the development of similar systems in multiple nations throughout the world.