Advocate Percy Sonn, head of the Scorpions as well as the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, has stepped down, the directorate announced on Tuesday.
Representative Sipho Ngwema said the resignation was pending the approval of President Thabo Mbeki.
He said both the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, and Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Penuell Maduna had recommended that Mbeki accede to Sonn’s request.
Sonn, whose resignation is effective from Monday (July 15), cited personal reasons for his decision, Ngwema said.
Asked if these reasons could be divulged, Ngwema said: ”No, it is between him (Sonn) and the people he spoke to.”
Ngcuka said Sonn had made an outstanding contribution to the Scorpions.
”We come a long way together; we started the Scorpions under difficult circumstances… We worked well and brought the organisation to where it is, but I respect his decision,” said Ngcuka.
Maduna described Sonn’s work within the unit as ”sterling”.
He said the government would appoint a successor to Sonn as soon as possible to ensure that the work of the Scorpions continued unhindered.
Mbeki’s representative Bheki Khumalo said the presidency had been informed of Sonn’s resignation.
”The president will deal with the matter over the next few days,” he said.
The Scorpions was launched on September 1, 1999, to deal with all national priority crime, especially corruption. Sonn has played a role in the investigative unit for several years.
Advocate Leonard McCarthy, the Scorpions current head of operations, has been appointed as the acting head of the unit.
Sonn, who is also president of the United Cricket Board of SA, was not available for comment. – Sapa