afrol News, 21 May - The South African government has announced the launch of a new high-profile crime fighting body in July despite opposition cries that the move could be used to cover some of the top ruling party officials.

The new body, which replaces the Scorpions unit, which was disbanded shortly before the elections, in January, will be known as the Directorate for Priority Crime investigation (DPCI) and its focus will be on serious organised crime, serious commercial crime and serious corruption, according to the new police minister, Nathi Mthethwa.

He said the new unit will be headed by a former Western Cape deputy police chief, Anwa Dramat, who has been hailed as an achiever in busting gansterism, drugs and religious extremism as well as the taxi violence in the province.

Mr Dramat has worked with the South African Police Services (SAPS) since 1995. He is also reported to have been an underground operative during the years of struggle in South Afric and was once a prisoner at Roben Island.

"With backup knowledge in religious extremism, our new head has been at the centre of crime combating since his arrival within the SAPS," said the minister.

Though the minister said the new unit would take over some more than 600 cases from the Scorpions, it was not made clear if the unit could still pursue some of the high profile cases, especially those that could involve current president, Jacob Zuma.

However, the minister has said that investigators wishing to be part of the new directorate will have to undergo a stringent and comprehensive selection process. He said this would be done to ensure that the unit run by highly skilled, committed people with high morale fibre.

Minister Mthethwa said he was confident that the new unit would usher in a new chapter in the crime fighting ability of the South Africa, especially ahead of the hosting of the Fifa World Cup.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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