/ 19 August 2014

‘Unconstitutional’ SAPS Act, Hawks independence goes to Concourt

Businessperson Hugh Glenister and the Helen Suzman Foundation will take their case for the independence of the Hawks to the Constitutional Court.
Businessperson Hugh Glenister and the Helen Suzman Foundation will take their case for the independence of the Hawks to the Constitutional Court.

The Helen Suzman Foundation and businessperson Hugh Glenister will on Tuesday seek leave to appeal in the Constitutional Court against a high court’s refusal to declare other provisions of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Amendment Act unconstitutional, and secure the independence of the Hawks.

The case stems from 2008, when the Scorpions crime-fighting unit, which fell under the jurisdiction of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), was dissolved and replaced by the Hawks, or Directorate of Special Operations. The Hawks are under police jurisdiction.

Since then, the foundation and Glenister have been fighting a court battle to ensure the Hawks are separated from the police, which they claim is corrupt and compromise the investigative unit’s independence.

Submissions based on ‘unverified opinion’
In December Judge Siraj Desai ruled parts of the legislation governing the Hawks were inconsistent with the Constitution and invalid in terms of ensuring adequate independence. He however found aspects of Glenister’s submissions were based on unverified opinion.

The Constitutional Court was tasked with confirming Desai’s order, but Glenister appealed against it. He wants the order compelling him to pay the costs of former Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to be overturned by the Constitutional Court.

Along with the foundation, Glenister is arguing the high court ruling did not go far enough to secure the Hawks sufficient institutional and operational independence.

The State opposes the confirmation of the order of invalidity, and is applying for leave to appeal against the Western Cape High Court’s order. It argues that the SAPS Amendment Act creates sufficient independence for the Hawks, and that the doctrine of separation of powers prevents the courts from being overly prescriptive about the legislative measures taken by the state to fight corruption. – Sapa