Scorpions unlikely to join SAPS: analyst

Scorpions advocate appears in court for alleged corruption

Prince Mashele, a political analyst, says it is unlikely that the Scorpions will be placed under the SA Police Service (SAPS). Mashele was commenting on the handing over of the Khampepe Commission report to President Thabo Mbeki.

Mashele says that Mbeki is likely to initiate a process of "tinkering" with the legislative framework governing and regulating the operations of the Scorpions, particularly the intelligence functions of the unit.

Mbeki received the final report from the Khampepe Commission and now says a final decision will be taken once the report has been studied by the National Security Council.

The commission was charged to look into whether the elite Scorpions unit should be moved from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to the SAPS. Mbeki appointed the commission last year, led by Sisi Khampepe, a judge.

Meanwhile, the Scorpions have already branded a fleet of cars which they bought last year. The cars were not branded before because of the unit's uncertain future. The unit has also filled at least 25 key positions.