Scorpions had 'bad habits'

2008-10-24 14:24

Johannesburg - The Congress of SA Trade Unions on Thursday applauded Parliament for responding to the "voice of the majority" and quickly passing the ANC's resolution to have the Scorpions disbanded.

The Directorate of Special Operations (DSO or Scorpions) had become "a separate elite force which was not subject to adequate public accountability and became a law unto themselves", said spokesperson Patrick Craven.

"This led to individuals' rights being compromised and Scorpions officers being diverted from the fight against crime to political campaigns against certain individuals."

The Scorpions' methods of investigation and prosecution "also contradicted the necessary separation of functions between investigating crime and prosecuting the criminals".

Cosatu would insist that the SAPS step up the war on crime in a more co-ordinated way and do more to involve the communities and civil society after the Scorpions had been incorporated into the police.

"Cosatu is 100% committed to the fight against crime, particularly organised crime," Craven said.

Cosatu accused the Scorpions of "bad habits and political bias". Cosatu would continue to monitor the members of the unit in the police and criticise them if it found any "abuse of human rights", said Craven.

- SAPA