The Scorpions. Analysing the Directorate of Special Operations

This research paper examines the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), known as the "Scorpions," an investigative arm of South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority focused on organised crime.

• The Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), commonly referred to as the "Scorpions," was announced in September 1999 and officially established in January 2001 as the investigative arm of South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority.
• The DSO's public profile increased significantly due to its investigations into the 1999 government "arms deal" and the role of the deputy president in that deal, leading the public to view the organization as "the ultimate crime fighters."
• There are ongoing questions and public misconceptions regarding the DSO's constitutionality, its relationship with the South African Police, the safeguards in place, and the role of the national director of public prosecutions.

APA

Redpath, J. (n.d.). The Scorpions. Analysing the Directorate of Special Operations. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-96-the-scorpions.-analysing-the-directorate-of-special-operations-jean-redpath

Chicago

Redpath, Jean. The Scorpions. Analysing the Directorate of Special Operations. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-96-the-scorpions.-analysing-the-directorate-of-special-operations-jean-redpath.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Redpath |first1=Jean |title=The Scorpions. Analysing the Directorate of Special Operations |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-96-the-scorpions.-analysing-the-directorate-of-special-operations-jean-redpath |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{redpathndscorpions, author = {Redpath, Jean}, title = {{The Scorpions. Analysing the Directorate of Special Operations}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/research/monographs/monograph-96-the-scorpions.-analysing-the-directorate-of-special-operations-jean-redpath}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }