Parly committee probing police graft rejects Paul O’Sullivan’s request to testify virtually

The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption rejected forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan’s request to give evidence virtually.

Members of Parliament (MPs) also slammed O’Sullivan for refusing to engage certain political parties, like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, when he finally appears to give testimony.

The committee took the decision on Monday when it met to discuss its witness programme and other housekeeping matters.

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O’Sullivan wrote to the committee towards the end of 2025, demanding to appear virtually rather than physically because he feared for his safety.

He also listed more demands and refused to account to members of certain political parties.

Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said O'Sullivan further stated that even if he were to appear virtually, he would not "recognise members of the MKP, members of the EFF, and members of ActionSA".

ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli rejected O’Sullivan’s letter, saying he must appear physically to explain his role in the security cluster and alleged undue influence.

"The man must be called physically before the ad hoc committee to explain his role in the security environment of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and we will not accept any excuse as he’s said in those emails about his security and that we want to organize for him to be murdered and all that nonsense he’s talking about."

Lekganyane said the committee would now work on issuing a subpoena to force O’Sullivan to appear before adding him to the witness programme.