WATCH | Paul O’Sullivan’s second day on the hot seat: MPs set to grill him over explosive claims
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has returned to Parliament for a second day on the witness stand before the ad hoc committee, where MPs — including Julius Malema — are expected to question him over allegations made during the inquiry.
Image: Armand Hough
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has returned to Parliament for a second day of testimony before the ad hoc committee probing allegations of interference, corruption and misconduct within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the broader law enforcement apparatus.
Members of Parliament, including Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, are expected to question O’Sullivan over allegations made against him during the inquiry, including claims that he exerted improper influence within law enforcement structures.
On Tuesday, O’Sullivan was led in evidence by Advocate Norman Arendse SC, the committee’s evidence leader, who guided him through issues raised in his affidavit and previous public statements.
During his first day of testimony, O’Sullivan made explosive claims about senior police leadership, describing certain generals as “rogue” and accusing them of conduct warranting imprisonment. He also revisited his long-running campaign against former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi, outlining his role in investigations that led to Selebi’s arrest, conviction and 15-year prison sentence.
O’Sullivan further touched on the political fallout of the feud between former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma, suggesting that law enforcement processes were used during that period in a manner that could have influenced political outcomes, particularly in the run-up to the ANC’s 2007 Polokwane conference.
He also addressed questions about his citizenship, confirming that he holds Irish, British and South African citizenship, and denied allegations that he acted as a foreign agent, telling the committee that his loyalty was to South Africa.
The committee is expected to allow MPs greater latitude on Wednesday to test O’Sullivan’s version of events, particularly around accusations that he infiltrated or manipulated investigations within oversight bodies such as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), allegations he has repeatedly denied.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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