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Parly ruled by ANC - lawyers
21/02/2008 21:25 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Cabinet ministers' handling of the "disbandment of the Scorpions" has created the impression that Parliament functions at the whim of the ruling party, said the Law Society Council of SA (LSCSA) on Thursday.
"Parliament is suppose to operate in a transparent, democratic and accountable manner as it is stated in the constitution," said LSCSA in a statement.
LSCSA called on Cabinet ministers and MPs to assure South Africans that the fate of the Scorpions would be decided only after public participation like public hearings.
"Without such due process, Parliament's role is likely to be relegated to nothing more than that of rubber-stamping the ruling party's resolutions."
The LSCSA said the timing of the resolution to disband the unit created a dangerous impression, since ANC President Jacob Zuma and National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi face charges investigated by the same unit.
"The impression that one gets is that the disbandment of the Scorpions is not based on what is best for the administration of justice and investigation of organised crime.
"The deadlines set are unrealistic and unacceptable, the apparent haste to implement the incorporation is difficult to understand."
The LSCSA said it believed that the country required a specialised crime-combating unit such as the Scorpions.
The ANC in January called for the incorporation of the unit into the SA Police Service by June this year.
The council also raised concerns on the delay into the enquiry of the National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli's suspension.
Pikoli was suspended in September last year after a said "breakdown of communication" between him and the Minister of Justice Brigitte Mabandla.
"We called for a speedy enquiry but it's been five months now and the enquiry is still pending. The delay is unacceptable," the council said.
- SAPA
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