The Standerton Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit is severely underfunded, leaving victims of gender-based violence (GBV) frustrated.

According to Mbali Luthuli of the Mbali Luthuli Foundation, which operates under the #Justice4All Network, individuals experiencing GBV currently have limited options to report incidents.

Luthuli highlighted the unit’s challenges during an interview, stating that the FCS is one of the most important fronts against GBV in Standerton.

In April, Luthuli questioned the FCS about the resources available to them. “We were made aware that the unit currently does not have any vehicles to meet and transport victims,” she said.

A memorandum signed by the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, confirmed that the FCS unit had two vehicles, but both were involved in accidents. The unit had to borrow a vehicle from Witbank and use vehicles from neighbouring stations.

Another concern raised by Luthuli was that the unit’s cellphones were not operational. The FCS responded that the stand-by cellphone had been lost and that an application for a replacement was pending. No update on the phone’s status has been received since April.

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Luthuli also asked about awareness campaigns, education programmes, and community dialogues addressing GBV. The unit said awareness campaigns were conducted alongside general crime prevention initiatives.

“The community is unhappy about the underfunded FCS unit, as GBV is a pandemic in our community,” said Luthuli. “Why does the FCS not have the necessary resources to handle these problems?”

She cited an incident in which a child needed to be taken to Ermelo Hospital for a rape test, but the FCS was unable to transport the child due to the lack of vehicles.

“Another problem is that Standerton does not currently have its own Thuthuzela centre; however, meetings are underway, and we hope it will be established soon,” Luthuli concluded.

Responding to media enquiries, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the provincial spokesperson for the SAPS in Mpumalanga, explained that there are two groups under the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Standerton.

According to Mdhluli, there are three working vehicles in this unit obtained through intervention by the SAPS provincial office. The two aforementioned vehicles involved in accidents are under repair at the SAPS garage.

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“The SAPS provincial head office recently began the process to buy more vehicles to capacitate the FCS units throughout the province,” explained Mdhluli.

He said the provincial head office was aware of the cellphone lost by a member, but had applied to obtain more cellphones for the unit. Mdhluli explained that the Standerton FCS Unit currently has three cellphones allocated to it.

“The public should note that the cables for landline phones were stolen in Standerton, which impacted the unit, as it can no longer receive calls,” said Mdhluli.

He said the station is fixing this issue through a cordless system. Mdhluli also clarified that awareness campaigns in the SAPS are conducted by the Social Crime Prevention Unit, which falls under Visible Policing.

“The FCS Unit is primarily tasked with investigating GBV cases,” explained Mdhluli.

He said the well-being of GBV victims remained a top priority for the SAPS and urged members to use the available resources responsibly.

“We urge the public to report any misuse of State resources meant for public service delivery,” concluded Mdhluli.