Pretoria – The South African Police Service (SAPS) management is currently redirecting stockpiles of sexual assault kits from regions where there is an oversupply to where shortages are being experienced at police stations.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Phuti Setati confirmed that SAPS was aware of the shortage of forensics kits for rape victims at some police stations.
“Recognising this lack, the management redirected the stockpile from regions wherein there is an oversupply to where shortage is being experienced. The redistribution process of the kits is currently underway,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
He explained that a contract for the supply of forensic kits was published based on the new improved specifications and this contract was awarded to the winning bidder during December 2012.
Subsequently, the SAPS placed an order with a preferred supplier of the kits and delivery of the stock is expected during this month.
“It is confirmed that the stock at hand will last until the new stock is delivered,” said Setati.
He added that SAPS had an obligation to ensure that all police stations were adequately resourced to ensure the processing of sexual assault cases without compromising the integrity of the evidence collected from the crime scenes.
He said the SAPS refuted claims by certain media that there was a likelihood of using expired forensic kits by some police stations. – SAnews.gov.za
