Shortage of equipment at police stations to be investigated

The purpose of the visit was to oversee the police station’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.

This visit came after the increase in the number of sexual violence cases reported to the police station every year.

Mbhele said: “We chose to visit Katlehong because other stations like Thokoza FCS are serviced by Katlehong.

“After the tragic news that two girls from Thokoza were found dead after they were reported missing, the need for properly specialised units is more important than ever before,” said Mbhele.

He added that the Katlehong FCS unit has recorded a shortage of 500 rape kits, 550 DNA collection kits, recording equipment for interviews, two-way radios and laptops.

“With shortages of equipment like in this police station, the justice for victims of rape and abuse is likely to be delayed and denied due to the neglect shown by the ANC government and the SAPS leadership,” said Mbhele.

Lorimer said: “We also wanted to find out that the resources the police station has are in place so that they will be able to investigate the increasing instances of sexual violence against women and children. Our findings proved that the police station is under-resourced and that some of the resources are not the correct ones. As the DA we believe that it is critical for the SAPS budget to be managed by the operational unit on the ground rather than by the pencil pushers who do not understand the requirements at the top level of the SAPS. My colleague (Mbhele) and I will now take the matter and the number of issues to the DA and see how can we improve the matters we have observed here,” said Lorimer.

Lorimer said they will engage with the station’s staff to find the meaningful solutions to fix the fundamentals so that justice is delivered and so that women and children are protected in South Africa and feel safe.

The communications official at Katlehong SAPS, Capt Mega Ndobe, said this is a political matter that the local police cannot comment on.

“In fact, the DA does not know our strength or the number of police we have who are working in that department and do not even know the number of vehicles we have or that are being repaired because of mechanical issues. I think this matter needs a comment from the office of the minister,” said Ndobe.

The Kathorus MAIL tried to contact the minister’s office but the phones rang without anyone responding.