DEAN Macpherson, the minister of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, said the decision to move the forensic science laboratory from Amanzimtoti to Mayville in Durban is part of the broader campaign to fight crime effectively.

Also read: Parliament flags shabby Amanzimtoti forensic laboratory

Macpherson said this when the new state-of-the-art laboratory was officially handed over to the SAPS on April 18.

“Crime is the number one enemy of South Africa’s future. We are doing something about that today by giving the police the resources they need to detect and prosecute crime, and put criminals behind bars,” said Macpherson.

Until earlier this month, the provincial forensic laboratory was based in the Amanzimtoti CBD behind the post office, where SAPS was paying the landlord R500 000 per month to occupy a dilapidated building. In April 2025, the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police flagged potential corruption on the lease. The ballistic laboratory will remain in Amanzimtoti at Andrew Zondo Road.

At the handover, the co-deputy minister of police, Dr Polly Boshielo, said the new laboratory will enhance SAPS’ forensic capabilities, improve turnaround times in evidence processing, and strengthen the fight against crime.

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“This facility is part of a broader strategy to modernise policing, restore public confidence, and ensure that justice is not delayed, because justice delayed is justice denied,” said Boshielo.

Her co-deputy minister, Cassel Mathale, highlighted that the facility will significantly enhance capacity to respond to priority crimes, including violent crime, gender-based violence and femicide, serious organised crime, and drug-related offences.

“Let this laboratory stand as a centre where science and justice converge; where evidence speaks with authority, and where the truth prevails,” said Mathale.

KZN Premier Thami Ntuli expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the establishment of the facility and underscored its importance in strengthening crime-fighting efforts across KZN.

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