The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has set a bold target to reduce its toxicology backlog by half before the close of the 2025/26 financial year. The move aims to address long delays that have undermined forensic investigations and justice delivery across the country.
The backlog currently stands at more than 40,000 cases, some dating back over 17 years. Many of these were inherited when the NHLS absorbed the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories (FCLs). The delay has had a direct impact on court cases, forensic pathology work, and closure for affected families.
Strategy to Clear Delays
The NHLS has adopted a multi-pronged plan focusing on infrastructure upgrades, new technology, expanded staffing, and reorganised workflows.
State-of-the-art analytical machines have been procured for labs in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. These will be used exclusively for clearing old cases while routine submissions will continue on separate systems.
To speed up processing extra technical staff have been hired on fixed-term contracts, working alongside permanent employees who will handle ongoing casework. In Johannesburg and Pretoria dedicated backlog units are already in operation, ensuring parallel processing without disruptions.
Capacity is also being expanded in KwaZulu-Natal to balance workloads nationwide while throughput is being boosted at the existing labs in Pretoria and Cape Town.
Technology and System Upgrades
Beyond manpower and space the NHLS is modernising its operations. Faulty or outdated equipment is being serviced or replaced while a structured shift system with overtime has been introduced to increase output.
A major digital transition is also underway as the NHLS shifts from the Labware Laboratory Information Management System to the more advanced TrakCare platform. This upgrade will improve data integrity, enable real-time case tracking, and enhance management oversight.
Restoring Trust in Forensic Services
The NHLS acknowledged public frustration over delays but said the new plan is designed to stabilise and modernise services.
“By enhancing both capacity and systemic efficiency, the NHLS aims to restore operational effectiveness, strengthen public confidence, and reaffirm its commitment to supporting justice and public health,” the organisation said in a statement.
The toxicology backlog has long been seen as a barrier to justice, with cases stalled for years in court. If successful, the NHLS initiative could mark a turning point for forensic science in South Africa transforming one of the system most pressing challenges into a model of efficiency and accountability.