A surprise parliamentary oversight visit to the South African Police Service’s Provincial Supply Chain store in Epping has confirmed that essential rape kits are currently unavailable in the Western Cape.
The visit was conducted after media reports raised concerns about shortages of the D1 and D7 kits used to collect forensic evidence in sexual-assault cases.
The findings, which have been highlighted by Parliament in a statement, indicate that neither adults nor children would be able to undergo the required forensic collection process should they report a rape case today. Empty shelves at the facility underscored the severity of the situation.
During the walk-through, committee members found no D1 or D7 kits in stock. As detailed in NovaNews’ reporting, this directly contradicts SAPS’ earlier assurances that supply levels were stable.
The chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron described the discovery as deeply troubling: ‘The unavailability of rape kits for both adults and children means that if any child gets sexually assaulted, then there is nothing available to do the necessary tests, and that is unacceptable.’
He added that the province-wide shortage stems from challenges in the national supply chain.
‘There is a back order in the entire province of the Western Cape, and this is a direct failure of national supply chain management,’ he explained.
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance member Nicholas Gotsell emphasised the broader implications for the justice process.
‘Rape kits 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,’ he stressed.
He noted that the absence of these kits goes beyond administrative oversight, as it affects survivors’ ability to seek justice.
The timing of the discovery has also drawn attention, as the national 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign comes to an end.
Cameron pointed out the significance of this, stating: ‘It represents a profound failure to protect the most vulnerable in the province.’
Meanwhile, Woman for Change took to Instagram to warn of what they described as a “dangerous collapse” in the country’s forensic supply system.
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Picture: Ian Cameron/ Facebook
