ANC statement on Parliamentary Vote on the National Prosecutions Authority Amendment Bill and the South African Police Amendment Bill

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes the positive outcome of the parliamentary process to vote for the National Prosecutions Authority Amendment Bill and the South African Police Amendment Bill.

The ANC reaffirms the central elements of the Polokwane resolution that there be one police service, that the DSO be dissolved, and that all special investigations fall under the South African Police Service (SAPS).

We note that this bill does not include prosecutors in the same unit, as it comprises the rights of the accused to a fair trial.

The legal officers in the SAPS can guide the investigators to ensure that the investigations are legally sound.

The ANC would like to assure South Africans that the amended bills are the beginning of a long process to out-root crime and corruption.

Having a united police force will ensure proper coordination and management to deal with organized crime.

The ANC calls upon all South Africans to rally behind the new proposed police service and ensure that criminals finds it unbearable to commit crime in South Africa.

Statement issued by Jessie Duarte, African National Congress spokesperson, October 24 2008