Ramaphosa mulls return of ‘Scorpions-like agency’
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he’s concerned about the lack of resources available to crime-fighting agencies in the country.
This comes after several reports detailing a network of corruption within organs of the state.
Several government officials have come under fire for squandering state resources, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Answering questions from MPs in the National Assembly on Thursday, Ramaphosa said government has taken several measures not only to detect, investigate and prosecute such crimes, but also to strengthen measures to prevent corrupt activities.
He told MPs at the National Assembly on Thursday that an agency like the Scorpions might be on the cards.
“Our criminal justice entities have been short-changed when it comes to resources, they don’t have enough investigators, they don’t have enough resources and we want to resource them so that is another mechanism that we want to rely on to make sure that they are strengthened and if we can just do that, we will find that those who want to cheat the state will find it very, very difficult.”
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Ramaphosa to receive first 'fusion centre' report
The multidisciplinary centre was set up to strengthen the fight against Covid-19 corruption and will see various law enforcement agencies work together to curb the mismanagement of funds. Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, says the centre will report back to Ramaphosa every six weeks.
The elite crime-busting unit was disbanded in 2008 and later replaced by the Hawks.
“We are going to gravitate towards having an institution that will have investigative powers and capability as well as prosecutorial powers when it comes to commercial crimes," said Ramaphosa.
“What used to be called the Scorpions in the past that is what the moment we have now of dealing with commercial malfeasance and corruption now requires."
He added: “We are busy looking at how we can bring that back to life and make sure that you are investigated, the investigators immediately have the capability to prosecute so that there isn’t a big interregna in between where you investigate and thereafter much longer you then rely on prosecutors.“
A multidisciplinary centre was also recently set up to strengthen the fight against Covid-19 corruption and will see various law enforcement agencies work together to curb the mismanagement of funds.
The president is set to receive a first report from government’s “fusion centre” next week.
Listen to Ramaphosa below:
