The elite Scorpions investigating unit is to remain part of the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Justice Minister Penuell Maduna has said.

Speaking in the national assembly yesterday, he said: "No decision has been taken to remove the Scorpions from the NDPP and my department because the question has never arisen."

Maduna was responding to a question from Sheila Camerer, of the Democratic Alliance, who referred to recent statements by President Thabo Mbeki and asked whether a decision had been taken to move the Scorpions from the prosecuting authority.

Camerer said Maduna's reply was "very reassuring".

In a follow-up question, she called for guarantees that the Scorpions would be able to do their job without "fear, favour or prejudice".

The DA was concerned that the African National Congress top brass was being seen as "royal game", not to be pursued.

Maduna replied that the Scorpions and NDPP had not experienced any such difficulty in carrying out their work.

He criticised Camerer for her interpretation of the president's comments.

Maduna referred her to a transcript of Mbeki's statement, which he said was available on the internet.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Times.