Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) has been declared a national disaster in South Africa.

Despite this, reports indicate that a shortage of rape kits is now an urgent provincial issue, significantly impacting the ability of the SAPS to collect critical forensic evidence in sexual assault cases.

At least three police stations in the Lowveld and two in the Highveld confirmed that they currently do not have rape kits available and have had to request assistance from neighbouring stations.

According to a confidential SAPS source, this problem is not isolated, with indications that some areas in Mpumalanga – and potentially across the country – are completely without kits.

The shortage is allegedly blamed on failures in national supply chain management, leaving many police stations without the necessary tools to process sexual assault cases. Without these kits, securing convictions becomes extremely difficult and many cases stall or are withdrawn.

Forensic delays are particularly acute, with samples often requiring referral to laboratories in Pretoria. Experts warn that these delays can compromise specimens, weakening the prosecution’s case and sometimes resulting in the withdrawal of charges.

Reports from late 2025 revealed that despite official claims of stock availability, spot checks conducted by parliamentarians often found empty shelves at provincial supply chain stores.

This indicates a systemic failure to ensure that police stations are consistently supplied with essential evidence-collection kits.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) reported that 40% of reported GBVF cases in Mpumalanga were withdrawn in the 2023/24 financial year, sometimes due to threats against survivors or a lack of confidence in the justice system.

While Mpumalanga recorded a reduction in most categories of crime in the third quarter of 2025/26, sexual offences and commercial crimes increased, according to statistics released on March 10 during a media briefing.

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MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie has highlighted ongoing efforts to address crime but acknowledged challenges in resources and support for law enforcement.

Beyond equipment shortages, some police stations also lack vehicles to transport victims to medical facilities, while personnel handling sexual offences are often insufficiently trained.

Community members have expressed frustration over high rates of sexual assault, slow police response times, and the need for greater resources and police visibility.

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Organisations such as Women for Change have called on government authorities to urgently address rape kit shortages and strengthen forensic services nationwide, warning that delays and resource constraints directly undermine survivors’ access to justice.

The CGE has similarly urged the provision of consistent, well-equipped forensic services to ensure investigations are properly conducted and cases can proceed to court.

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Questions have been submitted to GRIP (Greater Rape Intervention and Prevention), as well as the DA and VF Plus regarding the current shortages and proposed solutions.

Werner Weber, MPL for the VF Plus, said there is a growing call for immediate action to ensure that every police station nationwide is equipped to properly support survivors and secure justice, and promised to call a meeting with Macie.