afrol News, 13 February - South Africa's Safety and Security Minister, Charles Nqakula, has tabled a motion in parliament calling for Scorpions, a special investigations unit set up in 1999 purposely to fight organised crime and corruption to be disbanded.

The unit, which operates separately from the police, has over the years investigated several high profile graft cases, including that of Jacob Zuma, the current leader of the governing African National Congress.

The opposition condemned the disband, describing it as the ruling party's attempts to protect Mr Zuma.

Scorpion could not survive a bitter political row it has been confronted with.

Mr Nqakula told parliament that the Directorate of Special Operations would be disbanded and that its investigation responsibilities would be removed from the National Prosecuting Authority.

He said the Scorpions will be dissolved and the organised crime unit of the police will be phased out and a new amalgamated unit will be created.

"It is better to keep investigating units separate from prosecuting units for better command and control," he said.

The disband was endorsed at the ANC national conference in December last year that Scorpions be disbanded in June and incorporated into the police force. Most people fear that incorporation could lead to loss of evidence in high profile cases.

But a lot of parliamentary procedures are needed before the complete disband takes place.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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