DA cautions against abuse of Special ‘Browse' Mole report by those opposed to the Scorpions

The DA welcomes the release of the Joint Standing COMMITTEE on Intelligence (JSCI) findings into the Special ‘Browse' Mole report.

Where there have been instances of wrongdoing by the Directorate of Special Operations identified by the JSCI, then these must be appropriately dealt with in terms of the law. However, what must be avoided at all costs is for this report to abused by those groupings opposed to the continued existence of the DSO, as a convenient excuse to call for their disbandment.

There is absolutely no need for the proverbial baby to be thrown out with bath water. Where there are problems with intelligence gathering by the DSO then these can be remedied by legislation.

In fact, the DA has consistently argued about the dangers of the DSO gathering intelligence without the necessary mandate and vetting procedures to do so, yet these appeals fell on deaf ears.

The JSCI's findings must also not be distorted to argue that all action taken by the DSO against Jacob Zuma may be politically motivated. This is simply not the case, as the criminal case of charges of corruption against Zuma fall well within the mandate of the DSO and the confines of the law.

Ultimately, it must not be forgotten that the DSO have proven to be a highly efficient and competent part of the fight against crime and corruption, and today's findings should lead no-one to lose track of this fact.

Issued by Paul Swart MP, DA spokesperson on intelligence, February 26 2008