President Thabo Mbeki has re-entered the legal fray over the future of the Scorpions.

Mbeki - together with Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla and Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula - yesterday indicated that he would oppose Joburg businessman Hugh Glenister's Constitutional Court attempt to challenge the disbanding of the Scorpions.

During the first round of Glenister's court battle, the president indicated he would abide with whatever decision the Pretoria High Court made over the case.

Now, it seems, he has changed his mind.

Yesterday Glenister told The Star he was "surprised and intrigued" by Mbeki's apparent about-turn, but was nonetheless looking forward to hearing his views on the Scorpions' future.

It remains to be seen whether Mbeki will file an affidavit in response to Glenister's application, which previously questioned the president's involvement in SA's controversial arms deal.

The government has yet to indicate on what basis it will oppose Glenister's application for access to the Constitutional Court, which Pretoria High Court Judge Willie van der Merwe earlier suggested was the only court able to decide the case.

Arguing that the government's decision to disband the Scorpions was "arbitrary and irrational" in light of the unit's success and SA's crime problem, Glenister is seeking to halt the progress of legislation that will allow the state to dissolve it.

With acknowledgements to Karyn Maughan and The Star.