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Forensic Evidence Cannot Be Collected Properly

Statement by Lisa Schickerling MP – DA Spokesperson on Police:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, to urgently intervene in the serious logistics and supply chain failures that are hampering the availability of rape kits at police stations and specialised units across South Africa.

DA oversight at police stations have revealed that these kits are not consistently available where survivors report crimes and where investigators require them most.

A rape kit is not an optional item. It is the most basic forensic tool used to collect DNA and other critical evidence after a sexual offence has been committed. Without immediate access to these kits, evidence collection can be delayed, compromised or lost entirely.

SAPS utilises two different rape kits: one for adult survivors and another specifically for child survivors. Alarmingly, officials confirmed that child rape kits are currently unavailable in many areas.

This is unacceptable.

When a survivor reports rape, every minute matters. Delays in collecting forensic evidence weaken investigations, undermine prosecutions and ultimately reduce the chances of securing justice for victims. Survivors should not arrive at a police station only to discover that the state has failed to provide the most basic forensic tools required to process their case.

The DA is furthermore deeply concerned that the problem may extend beyond procurement failures. Oversight findings suggest that rape kits may be reaching provincial stores or other points within the SAPS supply chain without reliably reaching the stations, FCS units and medical facilities where they are urgently needed.

If this is indeed the case, then SAPS is dealing with a serious breakdown in distribution, stock management, accountability and operational control.

A rape kit sitting in a warehouse does not help a survivor sitting at a police station.

The DA therefore calls on Acting Minister Cachalia to account for:

  • the current national availability of rape evidence kits,
  • measures being implemented to ensure for uninterrupted supply of rape kits,
  • accountability measures for failures within the supply chain where shortages occur.

South Africa cannot claim to be serious about fighting gender-based violence while police stations lack the most basic tools required to investigate rape cases properly.

Survivors deserve dignity, professionalism and justice — not excuses and empty shelves. The DA will not be silent when it comes to catching, convicting and jailing criminals.

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