Bills dealing with disbanding Scorpions pending

Khampepe rejects reasons to trash Scorpions

The two bills dealing with the future of the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO) (the Scorpions) have not yet been tabled in Parliament. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill and the General Laws Amendment Bill will allow the unit to be incorporated into the South African Police Services.

The ANC is expected to use its majority in Parliament to push the bills through. Cabinet had already approved policy that deals with the future of the Scorpions. Proposals to amend this legislation should be on their way to parliament for law making, but the secretary to the National Assembly Kamal Mansura says both bills have not yet been tabled.

Whether the proposed legislation will affect or not affect provinces is something that will still have to be determined because the Scorpions also have provincial offices, says Mansura.

Khampepe Report
The Khampepe Report says the Scorpions still have a place in Government's anti-crime plan. The report was released by the Presidency yesterday and it clashes with the ANC view that the DS0 should be disbanded.

Meanwhile, the head of the Scorpions, Leonard McCarthy, has been appointed to lead the World Bank's anti-corruption department. A statement released by the World Bank said President Thabo Mbeki had agreed to release McCarthy from service to take up the position as vice president of the bank's Department of Institutional Integrity on June 30.

The World Bank anti-corruption unit investigates fraud and corruption in development projects financed by the global development agency in developing countries.

McCarthy is set to lead an overhaul of the department.