EXCLUSIVE: Urgent oversight visit reveals zero rape kits available in Western Cape supply store
Ian Cameron and Nicholas Gotsell visited the provincial supply store in Epping
Image: Supplied
The MP's were met with empty shelves
Image: Supplied
Cameron said he will be enquiring from SAPS National about the stock
Image: Supplied
In a dramatic development that has exposed a profound chasm between official statements and on-the-ground reality, an urgent, unannounced oversight visit has revealed zero D1 and D7(rape) kits available for both adults and children at the provincial SAPS supply store.
This shocking discovery was made at the SAPS Provincial Supply Chain stores in Epping on Tuesday by Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Police Portfolio Committee, and Nicholas Gotsell, DA NCOP Member on Security and Justice.
The high-stake visit was prompted after the Weekend Argus newspaper broke the story on Tuesday morning, detailing widespread claims of severe D1 kit shortages.
The publication had received a crucial tip-off from a whistleblower within the service.
Upon receiving the media inquiry and subsequent tip-off, Cameron and Gotsell immediately proceeded to the Epping supply store to conduct a random, unannounced inspection.
Their inspection instantly verified the worst fears: the shelves meant to hold the crucial Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits were completely empty.
"Major forensic crisis: There are currently ZERO rape kits for children and adults in the Western Cape. Nicholas and I just did an unannounced oversight visit at the SAPS Provincial Supply Chain stores in Western Cape and discovered the crisis," stated Cameron.
The undeniable evidence of empty shelves directly contradicts recent, official assurances from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Just this week, reports surfaced that over 20 stations had run out of the D1 kits essential for collecting evidence in sexual offence cases with officers allegedly forced to borrow kits from neighbouring stations.
Furthermore, the whistleblower claimed that expired kits were being found in police storerooms.
SAPS Western Cape spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut vehemently dismissed these allegations in a statement to the Weekend Argus.
“Please allow me to clarify the matter: you were most likely misinformed... There is currently a sufficient supply of sexual assault kits available throughout the Western Cape, and investigations into sexual offences are not being compromised by any shortage,” Traut had claimed.
Reacting to the police's denial before the oversight, Gotsell had already expressed deep concern, stating: “If SAPS are denying the reports, it is worrying that there appears to be a disconnect between the officers on the ground who work with victims on a daily basis and those who sit in their offices and who are removed from what is happening on the ground.”
He stressed the gravity of the shortage, including reports of up to 70 expired kits at one station.
“These kits are not administrative extras, they are the backbone of forensic evidence in rape and sexual-offence prosecutions. Without them, it becomes exponentially harder to secure convictions, and rapists walk free because the state failed to provide the most basic tools required to build a case,” Gotsell said.
A whistleblower also commented on SAPS denial of the reports.
"When voices are silenced by protocol to avoid being exposed, it is the whistleblowers that pick up the baton to fight for justice.
"SAPS continues ducking and diving when crucial voids in the fight against GBV and femicide remain.
"GBV and femicide statistics are increasing at an alarming rate and have been declared a National Disaster, with FCS and SAPS members being arrested as perpatrators. In the midst of the increase of sexual violence, the management of Western Cape SAPS perpetuates lies, which are indicative of the decay and corruption within SAPS.
"I encourage whistleblowers to continue to use their voices despite management's attempts to intimidate and silence them."
The discovery of zero stock on the final day of the national 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign is being called a "shame" by Cameron, representing a profound failure to protect the province's most vulnerable.
The collapse is suspected to be a national supply chain failure, with the provincial depot falling under the National Supply Chain Management of SAPS and pointing towards a crisis at the central Silverton supply chain office in Pretoria, Cameron confirmed an urgent probe into these national claims will follow.
Tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za