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DA: Stop Scorpions process
24/03/2008 19:05 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance will write to the Speaker of the National Assembly to halt the legislative process currently underway to disband the Scorpions, a spokesperson said on Monday.
"In light of the fact that there is now a court case challenging the Scorpions' dissolution on constitutional grounds, we ask that the Speaker postpone further legislative action pending the decision of the court," said DA chief-whip Ian Davidson.
Earlier in March a Johannesburg businessman approached the Pretoria High Court to stop the process.
Hugh Glenister argued the disbanding of the unit would "not be rationally connected to a legitimate governmental purpose".
He said it would also be a violation of the government's constitutional obligations to initiate new legislation in a constitutionally admissible way and to uphold the rights of every South African to life, dignity, property and security.
He said he believed constitutional rights were being violated and Parliament was being undermined by a "reckless desire to destroy a functioning institution".
The DA said the legislative process should not be allowed to continue while it was being challenged legally. Staff leaving
Davidson said skilled and experienced staff were leaving the Scorpions for more secure opportunities, thus rendering the unit increasingly unable to perform its function.
"If the legislative process continues and the courts decide months later to halt the legislation, critical investigative skills will have been needlessly lost in the interim," he said.
A resolution to incorporate the Scorpions into the SA Police Service, was adopted during the ANC's Polokwane conference in December.
The Scorpions have come under fire for their investigations into the affairs of ANC president Jacob Zuma, which ANC members feel is unfair.
The party set a June deadline for the crime-busting unit to be disbanded.
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