The Directorate of Special Operations (DSO) of South Africa, also known as the Scorpions, is a Business Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). In terms of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act No. 32 of 1998), the DSO is a distinct and autonomous directorate. It works closely with other units including the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The DSO was launched on 1 September 1999 and comprises of prosecutors, special investigators, crime analysts, crime information gathering specialists and forensic accountants. It was established as a direct result of the government's commitment to establishing an effective body to investigate and prosecute serious crimes in South Africa. Therefore the objective of the DSO is to prioritise, investigate and prosecute serious and organised crime that threatens the South African democracy and economy.
This includes complex financial crime, syndicated organised crime and high-level corruption affecting business integrity and state administration. The core business of the DSO has been layered by a selection of investigations, where racketeering, money laundering and the forfeiture of the proceeds of crime form the main activities.
The DSO pursues its objectives and complies with its legislative mandate through the application of numerous legislative tools. In addition to the NPA Act, 1998, other statutes include the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 1998 (Act No. 121 of 1998), International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Act, 1996 (Act No. 75 of 1996), and the Extradition Amendment Act, 1996 (Act No. 77 of 1996).
The directorate absorbed the three erstwhile investigating directorates on serious economic offences (IDSEO), organised crime and public safety (IDOC) and corruption.
