Print article   email story

A NEW crime busting unit, to replace the beleaguered Scorpions, was unveiled in parliament today.

The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) was unveiled by Safety and Security Minister Charles Ngqakula as the replacement for the Scorpions.

The new unit, to be placed under the guidance of the South African Police Services, will incorporate investigators from the Scorpions as well as those from the police's Organised and Commercial Crimes units.

Unlike the Scorpions, the new unit will not be equipped with prosecutorial functions but will have a team of legal practitioners who will provide guidance and leadership on matters pertaining to prosecutions.

The new unit has however been stripped of intelligence gathering capabilities, but will receive support from the police's Crime Intelligence Unit. The unit will start operating once the General Law Amendment Bill is passed by parliament.

The manner in which the Scorpions operated has been a matter of great dissatisfaction within the ruling ANC and its alliance partners, the South African Communist Party and the Confederation of South African Trade Unions.

ANC members have accused the Scorpions of abuse of power, of conducting illegal activities and of targeting senior ANC leaders in their investigations.

Government is taking cue from the ANC conference in Polokwane where the party resolved that the Scorpions should be incorporated into the police services by June.

The Scorpions were at the forefront of the corruption investigation into ANC president Jacob Zuma and other high profile ANC members including NEC members Ngoako Ramatlhodi and Tony Yengeni.

They also investigated National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi, leading to him being charged earlier this year.

Ngqakula gave assurance that all the cases that are being investigated by the Scorpions will be finalised.

Subscribe to the print edition of City Press