the decision to replace the Scorpions with The Hawks was done so as to "protect ANC leaders and members from criminal investigation and possible prosecution." When the organisation was first founded its staff reported to then National Commissioner of Police Jackie Selebi. Selebi was, at the time, under investigation for corruption by the Scorpions. In the period following the replacement of the Scorpions by The Hawks levels of corruption within and outside of government has increased. A number of studies have found the lack of political independence to investigate corruption as well as its dependence on SAPS has had a strongly negative effect on the organisation's effectiveness. Controversies Booysen/Jiba charges In 2015 former head of The Hawks office in KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Johan Booysen, sued the state for wrongful arrest. Booysen was arrested in 2012 for allegedly being involved in operating a “death squad” as part of the Hawks Cato Manor organised crime unit. The Booysen arrest was initiated by Nomgcobo Jiba, then acting national director of public prosecutions. Following the arrest Jiba was tried for "fraud and perjury relating to her failed attempts to prosecute Booysen." Booysen claims that he was "set up and criminally charged to stop him pursuing specific cases of corruption." Gordhan investigation In mid-2016 The Hawks were involved in a controversial investigation of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan following his ministerial appointment. Gordhan was investigated for his possible role in setting up and running a "rogue" investigatory unit whilst he was head of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) shortly after Zuma was compelled to appoint him Finance Minister following public outrage at the firing of the former minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene. Supporters of Gordhan believe the Hawks' investigation was politically motivated and done so as to remove him from office and lack legal merit. ANC member and head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Robert McBride, has accused the Hawks of being used by the ANC to fight internal political battles within the ruling party. It was alleged that the Hawks illegally detained and assaulted a senior SARS employee in an effort to take a hard copy of an email mistakenly sent to him in which SARS's legal counsel stated their disagreement with the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority's decision to prosecute Gordhan. Silverton investigation In November 2020, two senior Hawks officials who were stationed in the Pretoria suburb of Silverton, Brigadier Peggy Morongo