Madame Speaker, 

Let us today call a spade a spade. 

- The aim of the two Scorpion Bills is very clear, namely to kill the Scorpions. 

Therefore the choice before us today -- is a simple one - 

- Do we accept a recommendation by a High Court Commission? 

OR 

- Do we accept the dubious and sinister Polokwane political intervention? 

There lies the heart of this matter. 

- A choice between the High Court and a Polokwane political manipulation. 

We in the IFP have faith and trust in Judge Sissy Khampepe.  

We have no trust in the manner in which the ANC is manipulating this controversial matter. 

One can of course ask what is at the bottom of this assassination of the Scorpions. 

And there is clearly but ONE answer: 

The Scorpions have wandered into unwelcome terrain. They have exercised their right of independence to investigate anyone, irrespective of position.

That was their sin. For which they are to be assassinated. 

The ANC itself is being tremendously scarred by these recent events: Pikoli, Selebi, the Scorpions. 

After Polokwane the ANC will no longer be the same.  

The ANC no longer has real party unity.  

This is a party seriously wounded. 

We cannot support this legislation. 

The overriding purpose of these two Bills is simply to dissolve the Directorate of Special Operations, or as they are better known, the Scorpions. 

These Bills are government's way of forcing a political decision by the majority party on the public; even in the face of overwhelming opposition from all sectors of society to closing down the Scorpions. 

These Bills send out a very simple message to the people of South Africa from the government of the day. 

We don't care what you think; we don't care about the fight against organised crime; we don't care that millions of you have been victims of crime.  

Simply put: We will do whatever we want - come hell or high water! We don't care! 

The IFP would like to categorically state that we reject the closure of the Directorate of Special Operations and that we fully agree with the findings of the Khampepe Commission, which recommended that the Scorpions be retained within the National Prosecuting Authority.  

The IFP remains convinced that the closure of the Scorpions has got nothing to do with bolstering the fight against crime - as Government claims - but that the ruling party's rush to silence the Scorpions gives the impression of settling scores within the ANC. 

The IFP believes that organised crime remains a serious threat, and we therefore consider the Executive's disregard of Judge Sisi Khampepe's recommendations a national disgrace.  

Madame Speaker 

Over the past couple of years the Scorpions have done an extraordinary job in combating crime and bringing to book the so called 'untouchable' criminal figures in South Africa.  

It is clear that the disbandment of the Scorpions is a political decision and not a decision based on merit.  

Furthermore, the IFP believes that by closing down the Scorpions, Government is once again punishing South Africans who are already being punished by excessively high crime levels. 

The IFP has a message for Government: 

Let sanity prevail! 

The Scorpions should remain an elite unit, as Judge Khampepe recommended, and should be allowed to continue doing their excellent work.  

South Africa simply cannot allow the Scorpions to be used as scapegoats to settle political scores now that the ANC has a new leadership. 

The IFP will continue to oppose the ANC's abuse of power and subversion of democracy in South Africa by its irrational decision to close down the Scorpions by all the means available to us. 

Thank you 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr Koos van der Merwe MP: 082 444 4944 
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470