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Yesterday the Democratic Alliance (DA) voted against the Hawks Bill. The Bill was ultimately passed in the National Assembly and referred to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

The DA will continue to challenge the Bill when it is considered in the NCOP Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development.

We maintain that the Hawks, even after the tinkering in the National Assembly, does not live up to the gold standard set by the Scorpions.

The Bill that is now before the NCOP does not adequately deal with at least three of the key concerns consistently raised by the DA, including issues around a lack of adequate financial independence for the unit and the location within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The National Assembly yesterday also failed to secure a positive role for Parliament – as custodian of the democratic voice of the people of South Africa – in the appointment of the head of the Hawks.

My colleagues in the NCOP will continue fighting for a Scorpions-style corruption-buster as the Bill moves on to the next stage of the legislative process.

It is now incumbent upon the DA in the NCOP to ensure that the multi-party Select Committee seizes the opportunity to assert itself as legislative authority.