Motives suspect

A lot has been said and written about the pros and cons of "getting rid" of the Scorpions, the very successful crime-busting unit in South Africa's fight against crime. In the process a huge amount of emotion has been released and it is only reasonable that under these circumstances one will get both extreme and balanced viewpoints about this plan by the government to incorporate the Scorpions into the National Police Force, especially if the latter cannot boast the same efficiency as the Scorpions.

One view expressed is that by Lindani Gumedi this morning on MyNews24. I think Gumedi is making a few very valid statements, especially the one that the government as a whole should be seen as fighting crime and not separate entities. This is true, but this is also precisely where the problems seem insurmountable: Apart from talking and coming up with an increasing number of plans, the government has not got the credibility in the eyes of most South Africans that they can do something about the scourge of crime or even seem willing to do something about it.

The motives for the decision by government to "do away" with the Scorpions just seem suspect.