Premier Thami Ntuli Opens New Mayville Forensic Laboratory to Eliminate KZN DNA Testing Backlogs

KZN Premier Thami Ntuli launches the Mayville forensic laboratory to speed up DNA testing and improve justice for crime victims. See the full report.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 8:34 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EWN

Strategic Handover of Purpose Built Forensic Infrastructure

The South African Police Service is preparing to transition its forensic operations into a high capacity laboratory following the official handover of a newly constructed facility in Mayville, Durban. This development, overseen by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, marks the end of a period of fragmented forensic services within KwaZulu-Natal. According to official reports, the facility was custom designed to meet the rigorous technical requirements of modern criminalistics, ensuring that law enforcement has the physical infrastructure necessary to handle complex evidentiary requirements.

Overcoming Environmental and Logistical Hurdles

The commissioning of the Mayville site serves as a direct solution to the chronic failures of the previous provincial forensic headquarters. For several years, the primary laboratory in Amanzimtoti remained only partially operational due to persistent flooding issues that compromised sensitive equipment and samples. These environmental challenges were compounded by a second building in Durban that presented significant logistical obstacles, forcing the province to operate with diminished capacity. The relocation to a secure and stable environment is expected to stabilize forensic output across the region.

Technological Advancement in the Pursuit of Justice

Premier Thami Ntuli described the new laboratory as a pivotal advancement for the provincial justice system, noting its potential to function as a game changer for investigators. By consolidating forensic experts and specialized machinery into a single, modern environment, the province intends to drastically reduce the current bottleneck in DNA testing. This backlog has historically served as a major impediment to the finalization of criminal cases, often leaving victims and their families in a state of legal limbo while waiting for scientific confirmation of evidence.