Opposition parties are in strong agreement with the Constitutional Court’s ruling that the legislation providing for the dissolution of the Scorpions and their replacement by the Hawks was constitutionally invalid.  In a decision yesterday, the highest court in the land found that a section of the Act in question did not allow for enough protection from political influence.  Opposition parties have welcomed this decision.

As a unit of the National Prosecuting Authority, anti-corruption body the Scorpions was considered sufficiently  independent of the executive.  Opposition parties feel strongly that the Hawks, which sit under the SAPS, have not enjoyed the same independence and that the unit is politically motivated.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) stated that the disbandment of the Scorpions “was laced with corruption whose sole aim to prevent certain leaders from facing criminal charges”.

“The UDM feels vindicated that it once warned the country that the Polokwane lynch mob, which is running the country is not taking us anywhere. Instead, they are involved in a looting-spree of state resources.  In addition, the Hawks have never been independent; they were just a smokescreen to squash the corruption charges of the ruling elite,” the party said.

The Congress of the People (COPE) echoed this sentiment, saying,  “Since the disbandment of the Scorpions due to political reasons, this country has seen an unprecedented run of corruption from state officials. Having the Hawks under the jurisdiction of the police gives corrupt elements within the current administration the green light to loot and pillage from state coffers with impunity”.

Not mincing any words there.

The DA has also welcomed the ruling and stated it would comment after studying the Concourt’s judgement.

Parliament has been given 18 months to remedy Chapter 6A of the SA Police Service Act – the part of the Act which was found to be invalid.