The Police Ministry has downplayed claims the South African Police Service's new crime-busting unit, which replaces the Directorate of Special Operations (more commonly known as the Scorpions) is already facing a staffing crisis.

The Democratic Alliance says only around 137 former Scorpions officials have transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

It claims this indicates the directorate is already battling a 68 percent vacancy rate.

The department's Panyaza Lesufi says the DA's criticism is premature.

"Any other person that is speaking about the vacancy rate being high is already jumping the gun. The unit is not established, it is only coming into effect on the 1st of July. It's only from the 1st of July that people can start to throw accusations," says Lesufi.

The DA's Diane Kohler-Barnard says she intends asking Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa in Parliament whether there will be a shortfall in the number of competent officals in the DPCI.

"Now the minister must make available not only the final figure for the number of transfers from the Scorpions, but also desist from playing down the staffing problem."

Western Cape Intelligence head Anwar Dramat has been appointed to head the new unit.

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