Why so many of SA's rapists walk free

Delays in receiving results of DNA samples in child rape cases means suspects accused of the crimes are being acquitted.

So say two senior magistrates who are so frustrated by the issue that they have taken it up at the highest level with the police and prosecuting authorities.

But the police say while they are aware of the problem, and are trying to solve it, the police science forensic laboratory in Pretoria is swamped with test requests - almost 4 000 every month.

Port Shepstone regional court magistrates Johan Bester and Nonesi Dlamini wrote earlier this year to the laboratory and the provincial director of public prosecutions pleading for action. Their letter says that, in Port Shepstone, rape constitutes 60 percent of the court caseloads, and half of these cases involve girls under 16.

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