DNA RESULTS DELAY MURDER CASE

By Staff Reporter

SENEKAL- Postponing a case of murder of Brendin Horner,21, who was found strangled, against Sekola Matlaletsa and Sekwetje Mahlamba to May 13, Magistrate  Deon van Rooyen concurred with the State that the delay in the release of DNA results was due to systematic problems at laboratories not intentional.

He agreed with the State’s submission that systems are delaying the case from moving forward, and there is no one who is intentionally delaying the process.

This after the State pleaded with the court for another postponement citing a delay in the release of DNA results at forensic laboratories.

National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) regional spokesperson in the province, Phaladi Shuping, confirmed that the defence opposed the application for a postponement but was granted until the said date.

While promising that the DNA results will be available when the case resumes on May 13, Phaladi  also explained why the DNA results were delayed.

“Unfortunately some of the challenges are on SAPS’ side. We cannot deal with challenges that are beyond our control. But as you are aware we are trying our best to communicate with forensic laboratory so as to ensure that at least when we postpone now to the 13^th of May at least we got some confirmation from someone who is managing the forensic laboratory.”

Expressing dissatisfaction over the postponement Advocate Machini Motloung, who is representing Matlaletsa said “From our point of view we are convinced that there is no substance to any reason to postpone the matter further because the reasons that were alluded to are frivolous in our view.”

Motloung was concerned that this delay was impacting on his client’s right  who was still in custudy. Matlalesta was released on bail of R5000 but later rearrested for another case of rape and kidnapping.

 He said the more they are behind bars, they are dealing with SAPS inefficiency. This after they were informed through a testimony that the police are struggling to complete the analysis on the DNA and therefore asked for a postponement of the matter.