Madam Speaker, the ID wants to congratulate the two portfolio committees on their extensive public consultation, even though some of it was clearly stage-managed. While many people were heard, we are not sure they were listened to. The ID considered the various options proposed by the portfolio committees, but came to the conclusion that the DSO must be left as is.
The reasons and conditions for which the Scorpions was established still exist today. At this critical time in our history, we should be looking at strengthening the fight against crime and not weakening it.
The ID also wants to acknowledge the many policemen and women who work tirelessly. The Scorpions were never meant to replace them but to compliment them, especially in the fight against organised crime. While the Scorpions made mistakes, these mistakes should have been corrected and learnt from. We should have implemented the recommendations of the Khampepe Commission. Instead, what we see in this legislation is the ANC taking the sting out of the Scorpions and creating an institutional vacuum where organised crime is able to thrive.
Gone are the investigative and prosecutorial skills, and in comes our infamous national police commissioner who now gains control of the very unit that has been investigating him. The South African public is certainly not stupid. Like us, they know why the ANC is passing this legislation. This is about pursuing factional interests at the expense of our country's crime-fighting ability. The Scorpions has become another victim on the long list of casualties of the ANC's in-fighting.
Sadly, the battle to dissolve the Scorpions has been won and, in this case, the war against crime has been lost. The ID opposes both Bills. Thank you. [Applause.]