Chairperson, today, again, we witness the final nail in the coffin of the Scorpions. The ACDP has been at the forefront in opposing the disbanding of the Scorpions. The matter we supported was to accept set recommendations of the Khampepe Commission and to keep the unit separate from the SAPS.
In our view the decision to disband the Scorpions was not motivated by the Scorpions having been unsuccessful. It was rather motivated by the fact that the Scorpions have been too successful, particularly in its investigation of high-ranking ANC members. We are mindful of the Scorpions' shortcomings, however, but believe that these shortcomings were adequately addressed by the Khampepe Commission's recommendations and those should have been incorporated into legislation.
We are extremely concerned regarding the impact that this disbanding will have on complex cases. We have already pointed out the Fidentia case with 73 000 applicants, orphans and widows, whom are affected by this case. As we've said, organised crime is a serious threat to South Africa; if left unchecked it could undermine the integrity of our whole country, especially since it promotes all facets of life and undermines government systems, including the whole criminal justice system.
Now, to illustrate this point, the Acting Head of the NPA warns that the collapse of just a few of the Scorpions' cases could bring South Africa's criminal justice system into disrepute; and the reckless disbanding of the Scorpions, as we are doing today, could devastate the whole criminal justice system. This is not our view but that of the Head of the National Prosecuting Authority.
At the very least, as we recommended, an interim investigating directorate should have been set up, as requested by the NPA, as a transitional process to ensure that certain complex and controversial cases such as Fidentia should not be compromised. It is outrageous that the Scorpions are being disbanded, in our view, to protect senior ANC members from being investigated, particularly considering the escalating and highly complex nature of organised crime in our country, which affects all of our constituencies, communities and members.
We cannot afford to lose highly experienced and trained investigators and analysts who would not be prepared to accept posts in the SAPS and who are now being drawn to the private sector.
To conclude, the Khampepe Commission stated in no uncertain terms that ... [Interjections.] It is inconceivable, friends and colleagues, in other words, it's unimaginable for a legislature to see fit to repeal the provisions of the NPA Act that relate to the activities and location of the DSO. What the majority party is doing today is what the Judicial Commission of Inquiry considered inconceivable in view of the high crime rate in South Africa. Therefore, the ACDP will not support this Bill. I thank you.