Chairperson, the ACDP welcomes the amount of R3billion allocated for the restructuring of the criminal justice services over the medium term. These funds provide for, inter alia, the expanding of the criminal DNA database, accelerating the roll-out of national fingerprint and case management systems and upgrading IT systems.
We are just awaiting the consideration of the Forensics Bill, and we are pleased that that Bill will be revived later this afternoon. To ensure justice for vulnerable groups such as women and children is crucial. This can be done by implementing the Child Justice Act, Act 75 of 2008, improving services such as maintenance, utilising the Guardian's Fund and provisions of the Domestic Violence Act and Sexual Offences Act, as well as providing assistance for victims of crime.
We must also ensure a reduction in the number of sexual offences, particularly those committed against our children. The ACDP, therefore, welcomes the establishment of the National Register for Sex Offenders that comes into effect this month.
As far as the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, is concerned, we noted yesterday's announcement regarding the Hawks that will replace the Scorpions. Whilst the ACDP opposes the disbanding of the Scorpions, we are pleased that the majority of the Scorpions investigators accepted positions in the new directorate, thus retaining much-needed skills.
Whilst we wish the new unit every success in its fight against organised crime, it will lack the ingredient that led to the successful conviction rate of the Scorpions, namely prosecution-driven investigations. Nevertheless, the ACDP will support this Budget Vote. I thank you.