On Tuesday 10 February, forensic examiner Paul O’Sullivan appeared before a special committee set up to investigate allegations against South African Police Service (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, denying he was a spy but admitting he had previously worked in counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence for the British Army.
The commission investigates allegations of crime, political interference, and corruption within the judicial system. Mr O’Sullivan spent much of the day answering questions about his background, background and the allegations against him by other witnesses.
Mr O’Sullivan told the committee he had never supervised asylum seekers and denied claims that he was a spy or had any links with South African intelligence, either before or after democracy. He said his work with the British Army and military intelligence focused on counter-terrorism, including Irish terrorism and activities related to the Irish Republican Army.
“I came to South Africa not as a terrorist, but as a tourist,” O’Sullivan said, explaining that he decided to stay after visiting Durban and falling in love with the country. He said a friend encouraged him to apply for a work permit, and he begged politicians to regularize his status before democracy began.
Mr O’Sullivan also detailed his involvement as a police reservist, saying he had trained around 1,500 reservists over a three-month course. He also outlined his professional career, including his role as an aviation security group executive with Airports Authority of South Africa (ACSA) and his work as a forensic investigator. Several commissioners asked him about his qualifications for the job, and he admitted that he had no such qualifications.
Tensions arose during the proceedings when Mr O’Sullivan objected to what he said was being questioned about allegations against him by individuals he considered criminals. He warned that he would withdraw cooperation if the commission became what he called a “kangaroo court.”
“I did not come here to give evidence, but to be questioned about the allegations against me by criminals. If that is the reason I am here, I will withdraw my cooperation,” he said.
MPs rejected the charges against Mr O’Sullivan, stressing the need to respond to the allegations raised by previous witnesses, including KwaZulu-Natal police chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and chief of staff to the police minister Cedric Nkabinde.
Some committee members and evidence leader, barrister Norman Arense SC, indicated they remained unconvinced by aspects of Mr O’Sullivan’s evidence regarding his background.
Mr O’Sullivan also complained on Tuesday that the one hour allotted to compile evidence was insufficient and threatened to withdraw his co-operation if time constraints were not resolved.
Committee chairperson Morapi Soviet Lekganyane said Mr O’Sullivan had been given a full day to explain the committee’s process and make a presentation, and would have a further opportunity to answer questions from committee members.
“This committee is made up of MPs, who are giving you an opportunity to make presentations, and tomorrow there will also be more opportunities for individual MPs to ask questions to provide you with clarification or more information,” Lekganyane said. He reminded Mr O’Sullivan of his desire to eradicate criminal elements from South Africa and appealed to him to continue co-operating with the Commission.
Mr O’Sullivan returned to the committee today to give further evidence, including allegations of corruption within the South African Police Service involving several senior officials. Tuesday was set aside for lawmakers to ask questions about previous testimony and an affidavit filed by Mr. O’Sullivan.
raja azakhani
February 11, 2026
