Former Prosecutor accuses Paul O’Sullivan of interfering in IPID investigations

Michael Mashuga, a former senior prosecutor, has accused forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan of interfering in the operations of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

He claimed the police watchdog was effectively under O’Sullivan’s control and accused him of impersonating IPID officials and illegally accessing the private information of former acting commissioner Khomotso Phahlane.

Mashuga, who left the National Prosecuting Authority in 2024, was giving evidence before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption in the criminal justice system.

Mashuga was invited to the committee to provide evidence relating to the case he was pursuing against O’Sullivan and his former assistant, Sarah Jane Trent.

He was asked to explain how the case against O’Sullivan - who was arrested for allegedly impersonating an IPID officer - was struck off the roll and never re-enrolled.

Mashuga said the case was delayed due to interference by O’Sullivan.

“I will place evidence before this committee that the IPID investigation at that stage was not independent because it was infiltrated and led by O’Sullivan and Sarah Jane Trent.”

Mashuga further alleged that O’Sullivan later levelled accusations of state capture against him after he decided to prosecute him for violating the IPID Act.

O’Sullivan is expected to return to the committee tomorrow.