The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape will embark on oversight inspections to police stations, following reports highlighting the lack of availability of Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits (SAECK) at several stations in Kimberley.
In a shocking turn of events, the DA has learned that expired Paediatric kits (D7) have been used as a substitute for Adult Kits at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. That the seals on expired kits are defective, is a massive concern for the integrity of evidence.
If this compromises a single criminal prosecution, SAPS and government in general will have devastatingly failed the survivors of sexual violence.
The shortage of rape kits in Kimberley, during the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, is an indictment against SAPS, which is responsible for the procurement and delivery of rape kits.
SAPS are also tasked with bringing these kits along to the Thuthuzela Care Centres and health facilities when there is a sexual assault reported. This is to ensure that a prescribed chain of evidence is maintained, to ensure that medico-legally there is no compromise to the quality of evidence collected.
The DA will conduct oversight inspections at SAPS stations to try and determine the extent and cause of rape kit stockouts. We will also report our concerns and findings to the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, for her urgent action.
We cannot fight for the rights of survivors of sexual violence if our police service is not adequately equipped to put criminals behind bars.