Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla says the government is "not blind" to the successes of the Scorpions, and hopes that a long-overdue probe into the future of the unit would help to end the instability around it.

"We are not blind to the fact that the Scorpions have inspired confidence in the criminal justice system, inspired confidence of our people," Mabandla said in an impromptu interview with the Cape Times in parliament yesterday.

"But at the same time I have a job to do - this matter has been on the table for ages and I'm the unfortunate one who then has to really move with it," she said in reference to the investigation into the Scorpions, announced by President Thabo Mbeki last Sunday.

Mabandla said yesterday tensions between the Scorpions, the police and intelligence services continued and needed to be resolved, but expressed concern about the inevitable uncertainty hanging over the Scorpions in the face of the probe.

"I am concerned, but I am hoping that with the new National Director of Public Prosecutions - that's why we had to get an NDPP coming in soon - that with the new NDPP there will be more stability.

"In fact, by having this inquiry, we will help to reduce perceptions and inferences that cause the instability around the institution. I think the sooner we do it the better," she said.

There had for many years been discussions about the tensions between the Scorpions and other law enforcement agencies, and "synergy" between them was crucial.

On public perceptions that the Scorpions were being persecuted because of their investigations into Deputy President Jacob Zuma and his financial adviser Schabir Shaik, as well as the Travelgate scandal involving MPs, Mabandla said: "I think we will be judged after the outcome of the process, and even at the time at which we will have drafted the terms of reference - those will indicate what outcomes we are expecting.

"I think we are acting with integrity - and I think people should give us an opportunity to do our work," she said.

Earlier, Mabandla told a media briefing that coherence between the Scorpions, the police and intelligence agencies continued to pose a challenge for government and it was "proper" that the tensions be investigated.

With acknowledgements to Jeremy Michaels and the Cape Times.