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Scorpions set to be disbanded
20/12/2007 09:03 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The National Prosecuting Authority's elite crime-busting unit, the Scorpions, will be disbanded and its investigators would find a new home in the SA Police Service by June next year, The Star reported on Thursday.
The fate of the Scorpions emerged after the peace and stability commission agreed on this at the ANC's national conference on Wednesday.
However, its prosecutors would remain with the National Prosecuting Authority and the Justice Department, the newspaper said.
It was not clear what the effect would be on pending cases, especially into police chief Jackie Selebi and newly-elected ANC president Jacob Zuma.
The Star said Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula confirmed that the commission had met and that it had endorsed the ANC's June policy conference proposals.
Official stamp of approval needed
All that remained was the official stamp of approval, when the proposal was put before the ANC conference plenary.
"The commission has taken the decision to dissolve the Scorpions, but the conference ultimately decides," Nqakula said.
The views of ANC delegates attending the commission was that the Scorpions were responsible for their downfall - with the perception that the unit was used by senior government officials to target Zuma.
The Star said the unit has often been claimed to be an example of President Thabo Mbeki's alleged abuse of power.
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