When the Scorpions were launched, the opposition asked if there was not going to be a conflict in their and the SAPS' operations.

When the Scorpions were launched, the opposition asked if there was not going to be a conflict in their and the SAPS' operations.

The then ministers of justice and of safety and security, obviously supported by the entire ANC, said there would be no problem. They insinuated that our concerns emanated from our fears that we would be the victims as we came from apartheid and homeland backgrounds and were wont to be corrupt.

That the Scorpions are carrying out their duties without fear or favour has caught the ruling party off guard. The government did not expect to be investigated so thoroughly. This is the mistake that some in the ruling party keep making - to be absolved from the treatment they gloat at when meted out to others.

The cases of Dr Wouter Basson, Eugene de Kock and many others were catalogued in the media and these prophets of the high order saw nothing wrong with that. Some even stuffed their debates with that information, oblivious that they were allegations and that people were innocent until proven guilty.

There is no need to disband the Scorpions because the legislation that brought them into being was motivated by police ineptitude.

The Scorpions need to do specialised investigations - even if it takes seven years - as long as it is done thoroughly.

Sipho Mfundisi, national chairman: UCDP