Knives are out for Scorpions

The Scorpions are in danger of extinction.

The Scorpions are in danger of extinction.

This emerged when the ANC policy conference recommended that all security agencies, the various metro police forces and the Scorpions should shut down as independent operators and fall under the command of police commissioner Jackie Selebi.

The ANC Youth League has been campaigning strongly for the Scorpions to be incorporated into the South African Police Service.

The league's leader, Fikile Mbalula, said recently that the Scorpions had degenerated into a structure that operated like a kangaroo court and a private army.

And Cosatu has consistently accused the Scorpions of being used by politicians to victimise their opponents.

The Scorpions also came under fire for having allegedly leaked details of their investigations to the media.

Policy chief, Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, said a final decision would be taken at the party conference in Limpopo in December.

"The national conference will take that decision," he said.