The Hawks are set to investigate a criminal case opened against forensic examiner Paul O’Sullivan after he walked out of a parliamentary hearing. O’Sullivan’s testimony came to a sudden end when he stood up and left the proceedings while being questioned by Advocate Bongiwe Mkhize.
Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, heard that a criminal case was opened against O’Sullivan at the Cape Town Police Station. The case number is CAS752-03-2026, and the matter will be investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.
Background to the Case
The EFF had previously lodged a case against O’Sullivan after he abruptly departed proceedings at the end of last month. O’Sullivan had repeatedly raised the issue of a time crunch and stated that he had to leave as he was going to miss his flight, and would have to carry the financial cost of rescheduling flights.
After O’Sullivan stood up, gathered his things, and walked out of the proceedings, it led to the committee taking legal action against him for contravening the rules of Parliament. While O’Sullivan did return to the Ad Hoc Committee, the MPs still felt it was necessary to pursue legal action.
Key Issues Discussed
Some of the key issues related to the appearance of suspended Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI) Imtiaz Fazel, the case that has been opened against O’Sullivan, and the responses from the presidency. The committee also heard that the presidency said it would respond on Tuesday to the questions posed to the Ad Hoc Committee.
The members voiced their displeasure at the delay, as it had been the presidency itself that said that they would respond by March 16. A large portion of Monday’s proceedings also dealt with the recurring issues of the appearance of suspended IGI Fazel.
According to the South African Parliament website, the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc committee, Soviet Lekganyane, said that according to the legal opinion, the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) has been conferred privileges that have not been extended to any other committee, and therefore, they alone would be able to hear the evidence of the IGI.
- The Hawks will investigate the criminal case opened against Paul O’Sullivan
- The case was opened at the Cape Town Police Station
- The matter will be investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI)
The committee will also be seeking a meeting with the JSCI regarding the evidence of the suspended IGI. The Ad Hoc Committee will continue to investigate the allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
