Constitutional Court rules that the disbanding of the Scorpions is invalid

Lusanda Bill
17 March 2011

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the legislation that brought about the disbanding of the Scorpions is invalid.

Businessman Hugh Glenister says “I am a little bit shell shocked. I was really not expecting this".

The Police Ministry said it will not comment on the judgement, but the ministry has assured the public that will adhere to the 18-months deadline the court gave government to rectify the legislation.

The Freedom Front Plus has responded by saying it had argued at the time that the decision to disband the Scorpions had been merely a political, and not a thoroughly considered, decision.

The Democratic Alliance also says the ruling is a vindication of its deep and longstanding concerns over the disbandment of the Scorpions and its impact on the political independence of prosecution processes.