Parliament, Monday, 18 May 2026 – Following an unannounced oversight visit to the SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit in Nyanga, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, has expressed serious concern about the unit’s severe shortage of resources.
Mr Cameron described the situation as “a near collapse of the system”, warning that the specialised unit tasked with servicing high gender-based violence (GBV) areas, which include Manenberg, Philippi, Athlone, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Samora Machel and Lansdowne, lacks essential rape kits needed to effectively investigate cases.
Mr Cameron said the shortage of rape kits compromises the collection of crucial forensic evidence, including buccal samples, and undermines the government’s declaration of GBV as a national disaster. He argued that such a declaration should have been accompanied by adequate resources, skilled personnel and effective operational support.
“What we have witnessed is that the classification has merely been a cosmetic announcement without a genuine intention to effectively counter the challenge,” said Mr Cameron.
He attributed the crisis to inefficiencies within provincial and national supply chain management processes, which he said have directly contributed to procurement failures.
The committee Chairperson further raised concern that the unit operates with only about 20% of the staff it requires, severely affecting its ability to respond to cases. In addition, only three to four vehicles out of a fleet of 11 are operational, placing immense pressure on officers dealing with highly traumatic GBV-related cases on a daily basis.
Mr Cameron called on the acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service to urgently intervene and address the shortages.
“We cannot afford cosmetic reassurances not backed up by resources,” he emphasised.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON.
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