SAPS National Instruction 8/2017

The speaker denies failing to ensure exhibits were properly sealed and labelled, citing that this duty rests primarily with the crime scene supervisor from the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and that the scenes were not processed at the depot due to an unusual risk assessed by Lieutenant General Jacob.

“I dare that I failed to ensure that the exhibits were sealed and labelled. Paragraph 14(3)(c)(iv) of the National Instruction 1/2015 stipulates that the crime scene supervisor from the Local Criminal Record Centre , LCRC, is responsible for ensuring that all the evidence collected is locked and handled correctly including being sealed at the crime scene where practically possible. Furthermore, SAPS National Instruction 8/2017: Property and Exhibit Management National Instruction, 8/2017 , at paragraph 14(8)(vii) and (ix) requires that drugs be sealed in forensic evidence collection bags and that this must be done in the presence of the suspect. The decision not to process the scene at the CHC Depot and consequently not to call the LCC was taken by the crime scene Commander , Lieutenant General Jacob due to the circumstances defined above on the unusual scene at the depot and the risk thereof.”