Scorpions: 93% conviction rate

2003-09-09 17:12

Donwald Pressly

Cape Town - The Scopions investigation unit has had a 93.1% success rate for convictions between January 2001 and September 5 this year, according to South African Justice Minister Penuell Maduna.

In reply to a question in parliament from New National Party MP Dirk Bakker, who asked the minister how many cases had been investigated by the unit since its establishment, Maduna said: "For the period 12 January 2001 until 5 September 2003 the Directorate of Special Operations has initiated 509 investigations resulting in a multiplicity of prosecutions and cases."

He said 653 cases had been completed, including 273 investigations and 380 prosecutions. Altogether 38 investigations had resulted in finalised prosecutions and 349 in convictions.

"This translates into an average conviction rate of 93.1%," said Maduna. He noted that 588 cases - investigations and prosecutions - were still ongoing.

- I-Net Bridge (Business)