Madam Speaker, comrades and hon members, the APC enters this debate with its unwavering focus on what is in the national interest - intensifying and enhancing the fight against organised crime. It is the contention of the APC that organised crime syndicates have actually increased over the years, and what the DSO has uncovered has only been the tip of the iceberg.
To downplay the important achievements of the DSO would be as wrong as turning a blind eye to some of its glaring weaknesses, mistakes and misconducts. Similarly, some leaders in the ruling party have made assertions that the DSO needs to be disbanded because it targets them unfairly, which leaves a lingering impression that it is being disbanded for sectarian reasons whilst some in the opposition have undisguised their glee that the DSO arrests members of the ruling party.
The APC has always been for the correction of the weaknesses in the DSO without throwing the baby out with the bath water. However, the APC believes that it is undialectical to claim that we can never have a unit better than the DSO. It is our contention that the new unit out of the merger of the DSO and the organised crime unit of the SAPS should be strengthened, better equipped, resourced and supported. This new unit that is being created needs all the support and resources necessary to fight the scourge of organised crime. Let the criminals not be the winners whilst we politick selfishly with our nation's destiny.
The APC will support the merger of the Scorpions and the organised crime unit of the SAPS. I thank you. [Applause.]