SAPS+ready+to+absorb+the+Scorpions,+Mkhabela,+City+Press

City Press, Johannesburg, 20/05/2006 19:56 - (SA)
='SAPS ready to absorb the Scorpions'=


 * MPUMELELO MKHABELA**

THE South African Police Service is ready to absorb the elite crime-busting Scorpions within two days if President Thabo Mbeki recommends they should be under the police.

This is according to Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi, who told Parliament this week that he was ready to welcome the Scorpions within the SAPS ranks. He stressed a need to have a single commander of policing in the country, which will squarely fall under him.

The Scorpions (Directorate: Special Operations), known for prosecution-linked investigations, presently fall under the National Prosecuting Authority, led by Vusi Pikoli.

Their location has been a subject of investigation by the Judge Sisi Khampepe-led commission, appointed by Mbeki following a political outcry, mainly within the ANC, that it was abusing its powers as it was nailing top political figures.

During the Khampepe Commission hearings, Selebi's representatives were among those who argued for a single police agency falling under him.

Khampepe's recommendations to Mbeki have not been published. Mbeki has also not pronounced on his decision.

Responding to MPs' questions at the Select Committee on Justice, Safety and Security, Selebi said once the President has decided, he could easily take the 500 Scorpion members.

"What is 500 when we are able to absorb thousands of people every year? We can absorb those people (Scorpions) in two days.

"What will not happen in the police is that we will not have an elite structure. No one will be elite by legislation. People will be elite by performance."

"You have to earn (it) to be elite. Nobody will be declared elite by legislation."

Selebi's comments come just few months after Pikoli appeared before the portfolio committee on justice in which he raised concerns that the proceedings of the Khampepe commission had brought down morale among the Scorpions, as they were uncertain about their future.

Selebi is also fighting against the mushrooming of metro police units around the country. He has rejected numerous applications of municipalities, who are not metropolitan, who want to establish police units.

"Now all the places where there is a mayor, people want to have a metro police. They want to spend money buying cars and all that. I have rejected a number of applications."

City Press has reported about Rustenburg's failed bid to establish a metro police unit.

Selebi also wants the metro police of Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, and Nelson Mandela to have a reporting line to the SAPS.

"We have had meetings with the metro police chiefs. There is an agreement of integration - not that the metro should join the police.

"We determine standards (of policing) so that there is one commander of policing in the country. I hope this also answers the question about the Scorpions."

Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula has asked Selebi to prepare a submission about the isssue of reporting lines of the metro police to be discussed in the July Cabinet Lekgotla.

Selebi defended the work of the police, saying that those who criticise SAPS were failing to look at the good things they were doing.

"It's a pity that when we commit mistakes these are made mountains.

"But when we do right things, nobody notices."


 * From: http://www.news24.com/City_Press/News/0,,186-187_1936514,00.html**

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