The Directorate of Special Operations (aka the Scorpions) is a multidisciplinary agency that investigates and prosecutes the most serious organized crime and corruption in South Africa. These include drug trafficking, human smuggling and human trafficking, corruption in the government, serious and complex financial crime, racketeering and money laundering. This newly democratic country, a beacon of hope to so many undemocratic countries and countries in conflict, cannot afford to lose the only impartial policing we have to ensure South Africa is being governed well. The tremendous dent in serious organised crime in South Africa today wouldn’t be a reality without the Scorpions. (wikipedia)

Being completely independent from the government the Scorpions can prosecute high ranking officials in the ANC (the ruling party) for serious crimes of national impact, and have, and are currently. It is believed by many that this is the reason the government is hurrying the legislation through Parliament that by June 2008 the Scorpions will be disbanded and merged with the South African Police Service, effectively removing their power from then onwards.

The staff of 2000 Scorpions consist of the best police, financial, forensic and intelligence experts of South Africa, with an average conviction rate of 93,1{a9f0d31f6175b3e4775e11a66c07db268fb74408d6095f6b46eeec420c0e9f62} on all prosecutions. They are depending on us to do something about it.

Please sign the petition. Let’s keep it constructive! And spread the news.

The Scorpions should be protected under the constitution. This would never have happened under Mandela’s watch.