Paul O'Sullivan denies being a spy for MI6, other foreign agencies

Forensic fraud examiner Paul O'Sullivan denied on Tuesday allegations of having performed any foreign agency activities in South Africa, saying he was loyal to the country.

Testifying before the ad Hoc Committee probing the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, O’Sullivan confirmed that he has citizenship of three countries - South Africa, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“When I became a South African, I already had citizenship of Ireland and the United Kingdom,” he said.

O’Sullivan also said he was born in England to Irish parents and was raised in Ireland.

“When I grew up I considered myself Irish. I took the Irish passport. Later, I obtained a British passport because, having been born in Britain, I was entitled to that passport. I saw no reason why I should not have these passports,” he said.

O’Sullivan denied allegations that he worked for foreign intelligence agencies when questioned by evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse, SC.

“I have been in this country for 40 years. I can categorically state that I have not performed any foreign agent activities over those 40 years. My loyalty is to South Africa,” he told the parliamentary inquiry.

O’Sullivan said he would consider it criminal for him to support any foreign government.

“Having taken the oath I am stating categorically clear that I have never acted as foreign agent in this county.”

Earlier, O’Sullivan asked that his testimony not extend beyond 7pm.

He said he had been on a long haul flight to South Africa and had spent the whole night in preparation for his testimony.

“I also have medical issues that need to be dealt with. I am 70 years old. I am not a spring chicken that I used to be. I have spinal problems and spend a certain amount of my time lying flat and I don’t really want to give evidence lying on a bed.”

O’Sullivan confirmed that he had a certain Paul Gibson, taking care of his security and the parliamentary security team was scattered around the room and outside while the police provided additional escorts.

“This was necessary because of the threats made against me. I am satisfied,” he told the Ad Hoc Committee.

During his testimony, O’Sullivan confirmed that he had worked for the British army and military intelligence doing counter espionage and counter terrorism in the 1970s.

He said he had joined the army after he left school and left it voluntarily to study engineering.

“I realised this kind of work was not for me.”

He said he was never a member of MI6 when probed by EFF leader Julius Malema.

Asked if he spied on people while working with military intelligence, O’Sullivan said: “I was never a spy.”

Members of Parliament took issue with a paragraph in O’Sullivan’s affidavit where he requested to not be probed about his background and business interest in South Africa prior to 1990, for reasons of personal and family security.

He said there had been several attempts on his life and that he was entitled to protect himself and his family.

“I am not giving their names and where they are and what they do. I have a right to protect my family and personal interests,” he said.

“There have been 10 recorded attempts. There are people on trial for attempting to murder me for exposing their criminal conduct,’ said O’Sullivan.

Malema challenged him, saying it was incorrect for him to write his questions and answer them.

“We need to make it very clear that he is here to answer questions presented to him. He has taken an oath to answer the questions. That must be made clear to him,” said Malema.

MKP MP David Skosana pointed out that O’Sullivan was contradicting his affidavit, which mentioned matters dating back to the 1970s.

ANC MP Xola Nqola said O’Sullivan was limiting the committee “to dive down” into what he deposed in his evidence.

Arendse said the committee was not bound by a witness’s statement while Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane ruled that any question could be asked, unless it compromised O’Sullivan's or his family's security.

“We have been amenable as the committee to information like that. We can decide to create a platform to share it if it does not have to be public,” said Lekganyane.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za