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Old February 11th, 2008 #4
Alex Linder
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Default Re: Hope for Scorpions?

South Africa: Ministers to Speak On Scorpions' Future This Week

11 February 2008

South Africans can expect details surrounding the future of the Scorpions, to be outlined by the Ministers of Justice and Safety and Security later this week.

There has been speculation in the media that the Directorate of Special Operations, popularly known as the Scorpions, could be dissolved or realigned to fall under the South African Police Services - which reports to the Department of Safety and Security.

The DSO currently falls under the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which in turn reports to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Speaking at his official office in Parliament on Sunday, Tuynhuys, President Thabo Mbeki said that the Minister of Justice [Brigitte Mabandla] and Safety and Security [Charles Nqakula] will address all of the details surrounding the Scorpions and their efforts to deal with organised crime this week.

The President delivered his State of the Nation Address on Friday.

Following his speech, government departments communicate how they will implement the plans outlined by the President, through the clusters under which they fall.

In his speech Mr Mbeki said Cabinet had agreed on a set of changes intended to establish a new, modernised, efficient and transformed criminal justice system.

On Sunday the President said this review had to look beyond the Scorpions as there was more than one element in government's system dealing with organised crime.

There is also an organised crime division in the police, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the National Intelligence Agency, the South African Secret Service and Customs Services.

He explained the Scorpions were set up to specialise in organised crime as it was an issue government had to address.

The Scorpions were the only unit placed under the NPA, said the President.

He said the issue which had arisen was whether or not government would continue to be determined to fight organised crime.

"At the end of the day whatever happens in terms of the comprehensive review of the criminal justice system, the question that must be answered is whether we have strength and the capacity to fight organised crime or weakened it."

In his address to the nation he said the fight against organised crime would be intensified.

"We shall by the end of March this year, interact with Parliament on legislation and other decisive measures required further to enhance our capacity to fight organised crime," he said in the SONA.

On Sunday he said in terms of the criminal justice system as a whole, "government remains very, very firmly committed to ensuring that our capacity to fight organised crime is enhanced, not reduced".

Government will try to ensure that the Scorpions capacity to fight organised crime and maintaining their specialised capacities are not lost.

In 2005, President Mbeki appointed Judge Sisi Khampepe to examine the Directorate of Special Operations, or the Scorpions, mandate and relationship with the National Intelligence Agency; ascertain how to strengthen integrated efforts against organised crime and provide options regarding its appropriate location.

Amongst recommendations that the DSO report to the Justice Minister, the Commission further recommended that the SAPS be afforded the same legal powers as the Scorpions.

In 2006, Cabinet approved the Commission's recommendation to have the Scorpions remain within the NPA.

However, the decision was taken to allow the Scorpions law enforcement activities to be overseen by the Safety and Security Minister.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802111023.html