Shortages at FCS Unit undermines justice for women and children
“It cannot be that the very units established to bring perpetrators to book do not have the basic equipment such as rape kits.”
The Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Brakpan is chronically under-resourced.
This is according to Mike Waters, member of parliament for the DA where he serves as deputy chief whip.
Waters told the Herald the state of affairs was brought to light through a Parliamentary reply, which revealed that the FCS Unit has a shortage of:
• 500 rape kits
• 550 DNA collection kits
• six recording equipment for interviewing
• one vehicle
• one one-way mirror for interviewing
• five two-way radios
• three 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,” said Waters.
Also read: Community unites against crime and drugs
“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.
“It is no wonder that as far as child rapes are concerned that only one in three results in a conviction.
“It’s time for the ANC government to act.
“If we are to combat this scourge, we need political commitment, which will ensure we back up the rhetoric of fighting gender violence through the desperately needed funding.”
Follow us:
