LOCAL NEWS - After spot checks by the DA at multiple police stations across the Western Cape last week revealed that many stations have no rape kits available, 2 840 rape kits arrived in Cape Town on Monday, 15 December.
The DA says following oversight and pressure by the party, these critical forensic evidence tools were delivered.
However, Nicholas Gotsell MP, the DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice, says while this delivery is a necessary intervention, it is only a temporary lifeline.
"All the kits delivered have expiry dates of April 2026, leaving the Western Cape with a narrow window before another potential shortage.
"This reality underscores why the DA has pushed for the urgent delivery of additional kits with later expiry dates and why proper planning and stock management remain non-negotiable."
Gotsell says this delivery came only after the DA exposed that numerous stations, particularly in rural and isolated areas, has no rape kits at all.
"Areas such as the Greater Karoo were reflected on the official certificate signed by Major General [Michael] Jojo as having zero kits, a situation that remains deeply alarming and unexplained.
"The DA reiterates its demand for full accountability for the inflation and misrepresentation of stock figures supplied by various offices. These inaccuracies mislead the public, delays corrective action and leaves vulnerable women and children without access to justice; it also betrayed them during the 16 Days of Activism."
He says as a next step, the DA will formally request that the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice schedule a full report-back in February, when Parliament resumes.
"Both the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen [Thembisile] Patekile, and Major General Jojo must account to Parliament for the discrepancies in reporting, the failure to ensure equitable distribution, particularly to rural areas and the systemic breakdown that led to this crisis."
Gotsell says they will closely monitor the distribution of the 2 840 kits.
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