Popcru backs Scorpions merger

2005-02-21 19:49

Johannesburg - The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said on Monday it supported the call to have the Scorpions unit made part of the SA Police Service.

Pat Ntsobi of Popcru said the existence of the Scorpions was against the country's constitution.

Ntsobi said: "Much as the Scorpions have been doing a sterling job in a lot of cases, their existence goes against our constitution which states there should be a single policing authority under the national police commissioner."

He said a fragmented policing authority created a lot of confusion on the roles of different law enforcement authorities.

'Scorpions receive big budget'

Asked how the merger would benefit the police, Ntsobi said it would result in the equal distribution of resources and the equalisation of salaries.

He said the Scorpions received a bigger budget and more resources, even though their job was similar to that of the police.

Ntsobi said: "All the cases that the Scorpions have cracked were first investigated by the police.

"The Scorpions also have the luxury to choose which cases they want and these are ones where they are sure of a conviction.

"They just don't take up any case like the police do and investigate it from scratch, but receive all the publicity once the work has been done."

- SAPA