The DA Women’s Network in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will escalate shocking findings through Dianne Kohler Barnard, who is a member of the National Portfolio Committee on Police, regarding the staff and resource shortages, training failures and forensic delays at SAPS Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) units.
This follows our oversight inspections at the Umlazi SAPS Victim-Friendly Room (VFR) and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Prospecton as part of our GBVF Oversight Campaign.
I was joined by the Deputy Provincial Leader, Martin Meyer MPL, DAWN KZN Deputy Chairperson, Cllr Zoe Solomon and Dianne Kohler Barnard.
We were encouraged to find that the Victim-Friendly Room at Umlazi SAPS was in good condition and serves as a standard across the province. The challenges identified though are the presence of only one unmarked vehicle to transport survivors to the Thuthuzela Care Centre at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, as well as care packs which should include sanitary towels.
At the Prospecton FCS Unit, we found a shortage of approximately six detectives. Of equal concern is that too few detectives have completed the requisite Sexual Offences First Responder training, despite the specialised and sensitive nature of their work.
The unit is also experiencing a shortage of buccal sample kits, which are essential for collecting DNA evidence from suspects and securing successful prosecutions. This is a recurrent issue we have picked up on at various FCS visits.
Most alarming is the forensic backlog. Detectives reported waiting between three and four years for DNA results needed in court. In one case, the matter was struck off the roll because the outstanding forensic report could not be obtained. Evidence delayed is justice denied.
The time for complacency is over. As DAWN, we will continue to fight for swift justice for all survivors of GBVF.