Hawks' 83% plummet in convictions necessitates return of the Scorpions

29 October 2015

The DA calls for institutional reforms to have the Hawks disbanded and the Scorpions reinstated to its rightful place in a strong and independent National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as the key corruption-busting unit in our country. The DA is mindful that the NPA has been embattled by political interference and we will fight to ensure that it too has its independence restored. 

This comes after a reply to a DA parliamentary question confirmed what the DA has long held - the Hawks would have no appetite to investigate priority crime and corruption at large. Since the disbandment of the corruption-busting Scorpions, arrest and conviction rates by its replacement, the Hawks, have dropped at an alarming rate. This reply and the latest crime stats do not instil public confidence that corruption is being successfully combatted. 

Specifically, the reply reveals that since the disbandment of the Scorpions in January 2009, there has been a 60% decline in arrests and an astounding 83% plummet in conviction rates in the last six years of the Hawks’ existence. 

With the country losing approximately R30 billion, and climbing, each year to corruption, it is completely inexplicable as it is unacceptable that convictions in corruption have plummeted. It is crystal clear that President Zuma and the ANC in government are not interested in the war against corruption but are rather the biggest proponents of corrupt activity. 

In the 2010/11 financial year, there were 14 793 arrests with 7 037 convictions. However, in the 2014/15 financial year, only 5 847 arrests were made and a comparatively feeble 1 176 convictions obtained. 

This serves President Jacob Zuma and his cronies quite well. Shortly after becoming President, and having temporarily escaped more than 700 counts of fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering against him, President Zuma had the Scorpions disbanded. He replaced them with the Hawks, which he conveniently placed under the control of SAPS - whereas the Scorpions operated with an independent, prosecutions-led approach under the NPA. 

Equally, Anwa Dramat’s unlawful suspension as Hawks head by the Minister of Police, Nathi Nhleko, also appears to have worked, as he took early retirement, feeling disheartened and powerless in his independent fight against crime. 

Since April this year only 1 038 arrests have been made and 288 convictions obtained. We have no doubt that these shocking stats are a direct result of the politically motivated disbandment of the Scorpions. 

This is clear evidence that the disbandment of the Scorpions was fatally flawed in the first place because it allowed for pervasive undue political influence. 

The DA will continue to stand firm in its position that the Hawks be disbanded and that the Scorpions be re-established under the NPA, which itself must be independent and free from political interference, so that we can start making meaningful strides in the fight against corruption with a credible head whose priority is to discharge his or her mandate without fear or favour. 

Text of reply:

36/1/4/1/201500295

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 3522

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 SEPTEMBER 2015

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 37-2015)

3522.    Mr H C C Krüger (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(a) How many arrests were made by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (i) in the (aa) 2010-11, (bb) 2011-12, (cc) 2012-13, (dd) 2013-14 and (ee) 2014-15 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2015 and (b) what total number of the specified arrests resulted in secured convictions?

NW4186E

REPLY:

(i)(aa) 2010-2011

 (i)(bb) 2011-2012

(i)(cc) 2012-2013

(i)(dd) 2013-2014

(i)(ee) 2014-2015

(ii)          Since 1 April 2015.

Statement issued by Zakhele Mbhele MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, 29 October 2015