The South African Police Service (SAPS) has outlined its procedures for handling and destroying illicit goods, including alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs, while also revealing the monetary value of evidence lost while in police storage over the past five years. Responding to an inquiry from Economic Freedom Fighters Committee Member Sinawo Tambo, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu confirmed that SAPS follows strict protocols to manage seized goods and prevent tampering or misplacement.
When illicit goods, excluding counterfeit items, are seized in connection with an arrest, they are stored in SAPS evidence facilities. These items are logged in the SAPS 13 register, a record-keeping system designed to maintain the integrity of the evidence chain. SAPS directives outline the handling, forensic testing, and legal processing of these exhibits, ensuring that all items remain secure and accounted for until they are required for further proceedings or eventual destruction.
A different system applies to counterfeit goods, which are often confiscated in large-scale raids conducted in co-ordination with multiple law enforcement agencies. Such goods are stored at designated provincial counterfeit depots rather than in SAPS evidence facilities. The responsibility for their destruction falls to the relevant trademark attorneys and brand protection agencies, ensuring that the disposal process adheres to intellectual property laws and industry standards.
The handling of illegal drugs follows an even more stringent process. All narcotics, excluding cannabis, must be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for analysis before being destroyed. This ensures that the substances are properly examined for investigative purposes before they are permanently removed from circulation.
In the case of seized alcohol, a commissioned officer must authorise its destruction, which is carried out in consultation with local environmental authorities to prevent ecological harm. This approach helps SAPS balance law enforcement responsibilities with environmental considerations.
Despite these procedures, SAPS confirmed that four incidents of evidence loss have been recorded in the previous five years. The lost goods included drugs, cigarettes, and liquor, with a total estimated value of R207 880. While this figure is relatively low compared to the large volume of illicit goods handled by SAPS, the incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of safeguarding seized evidence.
The revelation of these losses has raised concern regarding the security of evidence storage and the risk of corruption and mismanagement. Ensuring the integrity of evidence is critical for successful prosecutions, says Mchunu, and any loss of seized goods could undermine public confidence in law enforcement.
With growing pressure to curb illicit trade and organised crime, SAPS vows to continues the refinement of its evidence management processes. The implementation of stricter oversight and improved storage facilities is necessary to further reduce the risk of lost evidence, noted Mchunu, adding that it reinforces the police’s commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in its operations.
