36/1/4/1/201000253

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2716

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 SEPTEMBER 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 30- 2010)

Date reply submitted: 12 October 2010

2716. Mrs D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) How many inquest dockets have been opened in each of the past three financial years;

(2)(a) what is the average length of time taken for police to determine whether or not a death was as a result of a criminal act and (b) how many deaths (i) in the 2009-10 financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available are awaiting determination of whether or not they are murder?

NW3385E

REPLY:

(1) 2007/2008 = 29 464

2008/2009 = 30 558

2009/2010 = 31 265

(2) In order to determine the average length of time whether or not a death was as a result of a criminal act, would require an in-depth research into this process. The current procedure is that each case is viewed independently and according to its specific particularities. This depends on available evidence and external role players in determining the cause of death.

Reply to question 2716 approved by MINISTER

Issued by Parliament, October 13 2010

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