MPs condemn rape kit shortage
2013-03-04 18:58
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Cape Town - A shortage of DNA kits for rape cases at police stations has been condemned by Parliament's police portfolio committee.
It urged national police commissioner Riah Phiyega to resolve the matter.
"This is totally unacceptable, and we as the committee strongly condemn the shortage of these kits," it said in a statement on Monday.
The statement follows media reports that police stations are running out of DNA kits, which are used to collect forensic evidence from rape victims.
It has also been reported that some police stations are resorting to using expired kits.
"The high incidence of rape around the country makes the situation untenable, and we urge the [national] commissioner to resolve this," the committee said.
"Without rape kits we lose crucial evidence, which is key to the successful prosecution of rapists."
The committee said it had written to Phiyega, urging her to act on the matter.
- SAPA
