Forensic examiner Mr Paul O’Sullivan on Tuesday, 10 February, appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi denying he was ever a spy but conceding he worked previously for British Army counterterrorism and counterintelligence.
The committee is probing allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within the justice system. Mr O’Sullivan spent much of the day responding to questions about his background, career and allegations made against him by other witnesses.
Mr O’Sullivan told the committee that he had never conducted surveillance on anyone in exile and denied claims that he was a spy or linked to South Africa’s intelligence services, either before or after democracy. He said his work in the British Army and military intelligence focused on counterterrorism, including activities related to Irish terrorism and the Irish Republican Army.
“I came to South Africa as a tourist, not as a terrorist,” Mr O’Sullivan said, explaining that he later decided to stay after visiting Durban and falling in love with the country. He said a friend suggested he apply for a work permit, and he subsequently pleaded with a politician, before the democratic dispensation, to regularise his status.
Mr O’Sullivan also detailed his involvement as a police reservist, stating that he had trained approximately 1 500 reservists through courses lasting around three months. He further outlined his professional career, including his role as group executive of aviation security at the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and his work as a forensic investigator. Several committee members asked him about his qualifications for this job and he conceded that he lacked such qualifications.
Tensions arose during proceedings when Mr O’Sullivan objected to what he described as being interrogated over allegations made against him by individuals he characterised as criminals. He warned that he would withdraw his cooperation if the committee became what he termed a “kangaroo court”.
“Instead of coming here to give evidence, I’ve come here to be interrogated on allegations made against me by criminals. If that is why I’m here, I will withdraw my cooperation,” he said.
Members of Parliament rejected Mr O’Sullivan’s complaint and emphasised that he would be required to respond to allegations raised by previous witnesses, including KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and the Minister of Police’s Chief of Staff, Mr Cedric Nkabinde.
Some committee members and the Evidence Leader, Advocate Norman Arendse SC, indicated that they remained unconvinced by aspects of Mr O’Sullivan’s testimony regarding his background.
Mr O’Sullivan also complained that an hour allocated to conclude his evidence on Tuesday would be insufficient and he threatened to withdraw his cooperation if the time constraints were not addressed.
Committee Chairperson Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane explained the committee’s process to Mr O’Sullivan, noting that he had been given a full day to make a presentation and would have further opportunities to respond to questions from committee members.
“This committee is made up of Members of Parliament. They have given you an opportunity to make a presentation, and you will also have more opportunities tomorrow when individual members will be asking questions for you to clarify or provide more information,” Mr Lekganyane said. He appealed to Mr O’Sullivan to continue cooperating with the committee, reminding him of his stated desire to see criminal elements rooted out in South Africa.
Mr O’Sullivan returned to the committee today to provide further evidence, including on his allegations of corruption within the South African Police Service, where he has implicated several senior officials. Tuesday was set aside for MPs to pose questions about the testimony heard so far, as well the affidavit Mr O’Sullivan provided.
Rajaa Azzakani
11 February 2026
Arrange a tour