Cape Town ­ The disruption caused by the dissolution of the Scorpions had undermined investigations into allegations of corruption in the arms deal , National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) officials conceded yesterday.

They were called to explain to Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) why there had been so little progress with the investigations eight years after a report of the joint investigating team in 2001 urged that these be undertaken “speedily”.

NPA acting director Mokotedi Mpshe agreed that the investigations had taken too long, saying this was because of their complexity, the fact that foreign jurisdictions were involved and because of the extent of litigation involved. Also, the NPA had been plagued by the departure of skilled investigators.

Head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit Willie Hofmeyr said the dissolution of the Scorpions had caused a great deal of uncertainty and led to the resignation of 67 people since January last year, an average of about five a month. These people were not replaced.

Hofmeyr said the process of incorporating the Scorpions, or directorate of special operations, into a dedicated directorate within the South African Police Service was going well and he hoped it would not have any negative implications for the investigations.

“I don’t think the relocation of the directorate of special operation as such will have a significant effect on the cases,” Hofmeyr said. “We don’t have a great fear of relocation, but fear the uncertainty and loss of investigators.”

A lack of capacity would not mean that the investigations would have to stop, but that they could take longer.

Scopa chairman Themba Godi said the committee was satisfied that the NPA had done everything in its power to investigate all matters placed before it *1.

With acknowledgements to Linda Ensor and Business Day.