WILL THE SCORPION STILL STING? The future of the Directorate of Special Operations

Following the politico-legal row that has engulfed the National Prosecuting Authority’s Directorate of Special Operations (otherwise known as the Scorpions), President Mbeki appointed Judge Sisi Khampepe on 1 April 2005 to head a commission of enquiry (known as the Khampepe Commission) to review the mandate and location of the DSO and make recommendations. On receipt of the Commission’s recommendations, the President, in consultation with Cabinet, has made a decision on the future of the Scorpions. This article analyses the implications of the decision and raises critical questions related to the past and the future