The legislation must, however, provide an effective deterrent for those intending to engage in crime. The legislation providing for the statutory establishment of this Directorate will be brought before this House in the New Year. We remain convinced that the legislation reflects an appropriate response to the urgent need for preventing and combating crime. As such, elected representatives of the people should put aside petty political bickering and lend their unequivocal support this legislation. We should all recognise the threat that crime poses for the development of our democracy.
Crime destabilises the economy and impacts dramatically on the poor and historically disadvantaged.
The legislature should support this legislation in the secure knowledge that the Scorpions will dedicate their efforts to eliminating this scourge in a manner that supports the democratic and human rights traditions for which we have struggled and fought. The President has indicated that the Scorpions will be well resourced, both in terms of equipment and personnel. A supplementary budget for the establishment of the Directorate of Special Operations within the framework of the National Prosecuting Authority has already been submitted to the Treasury Committee. A full budget will be submitted for the following financial year. Madame Speaker, we are aware of the comments which have been made in the media regarding proposed salaries for people who are being recruited to the Scorpions.