Johannesburg - The new Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) has been officially launched.
The new unit replaces the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), which was known as the Scorpions.
In February, former President Kgalema Motlanthe signed the SAPS Amendment Act and Section 43 of the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act which allowed for the establishment of the unit and the transitional arrangements related to the Scorpions.
Both the DSO and the SAPS then embarked on a process to ascertain the number of employees who would consent to transferring to the new unit.
The Western Cape Police Deputy Commissioner Anwa Dramat was appointed by Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, to head the new unit.
In June, Commissioner Dramat said the unit was strong, capable and well-resourced to hunt any criminal, anywhere and at any time. He said the unit's mandate was simple - crush organised crime without mercy.
In his State of the Nation Address earlier this year, President Jacob Zuma said that government would give serious attention to combating organised crime, as well as crimes against women and children.
