Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa claimed in the National Assembly on Monday that about R100-million has gone missing from the accounts of the Scorpions — the Department of Special Operations (DSO).
Speaking in the debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address, Mthethwa justified the disbandment of the Scorpions and their absorption into a police directorate by saying the unit was a new and innovative development initiated by the African National Congress (ANC) government to strengthen the fight against organised crime. It included prosecutors, detectives and intelligence operatives in one unit.
”This was indeed a powerful combination which, nevertheless, created its own problems,” the minister said. ”Even as we speak, we are faced with the issue of plus or minus R100-million of funds which are unaccounted for by the DSO.”
However, the minister also described steps the government is promising to beef up the fight against crime, saying the party and government are committed to the establishment of a new modernised, efficient, and transformed criminal justice system.
”This initiative will reduce drastically the levels of crime and ensure the stamping out of corruption,” he said.
He said that government is paying special attention to the fight against serious and violent crime and they are also acting with added vigour against organised syndicates.
”We will increase the capacity of the SAPS [South African Police Service] through recruitment, rigorous training and better remuneration,” he said. ”Steps are being taken to better equip and increase the capacity of detective services, forensics, prosecution and judicial services. In this regard training is earmarked to commence in earnest this year.”
He assured members that he is going to act with speed in the process of establishing the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation, which will take the place left vacant by the demise of the Scorpions.
”The architecture of this unit is such that it takes on board the positive aspects of previous units while shedding off their weaknesses,” he said. ”In essence, we are — taking the best and shedding off the worst.”
He also promised to pay added attention to attacks on police officers, and he promised new laws to do so.
”As part of this work, legislative measures will be introduced to protect law-enforcement officials,” he said. ”We shall ensure that unarmed and defenceless people are protected against possible abuse.
Minister Mthethwa also promised to change the law to increase the capacity of the justice system to protect women and children against violence.
”Aspects of our legislative regime that unintentionally protect perpetrators will be changed in order to drive the point home that the 16 days of activism is in fact 365,” he said. — I-Net Bridge