'Disbanding Scorpions a huge blow to SA'

Opposition parties have united on a bid to retain the Scorpions

Advocate Willem Heath has described government's decision to disband the elite crime busting unit, the Scorpions, as a huge blow the country’s efforts to fight crime. The full report of the Khampepe Commission of Enquiry into the future of the Scorpions was officially gazetted and released to the public yesterday.

In 2005 High Court Judge Sisi Khampepe was tasked with chairing a commission to look into the future location and mandate of the Scorpions. One of the key findings of the report is that there is nothing constitutionally wrong with the establishment and the continued existence of the Scorpions. The 144-page document by Judge Khampepe on the mandate and location of the Scorpions, states that the existence of the unit is still valid.

The report was submitted to President Thabo Mbeki two years ago. The release of the report comes in the same week as the General Law Amendment Bill and the National Prosecuting Amendment Bill are due to be tabled in Parliament. The bills deal with the disbanding of the Scorpions.

Meanwhile political analyst Prince Mashele says the decision to disband the Scorpions will definitely affect the fight against crime.