This is according to Michael Waters, DA deputy chief whip in the National Assembly, who says it was revealed through a parliamentary reply.
According to Waters, the FCS Unit has a shortage of:
• 250 rape kits,
• 300 DNA collection kits,
• six recording equipment for interviewing,
• two vehicles,
• one one-way mirror for interviewing,
• three two-way radios and
• four laptops.
“This situation is totally unacceptable and shows the lack of concern by the government for the very units that investigate the rape and murder of children and women of our country,” he says.
“Last year alone 39 828 rapes were reported and of these a horrific 19 017 (41 per cent) are child rapes.
“It cannot be that the very units established to bring perpetrators to book do not have the basic equipment such as rape kits.
“What this means is that vital evidence needed to convict people will be lost forever.”
Capt Johannes Ramphora, spokesperson of the Springs police says the unit does have vehicles but referred the matter to Capt Masondo.
At the time of publication, no comment has been received.
Follow us on our social media platforms:
