Malema questions O’Sullivan’s qualifications for ACSA security post

Private Investigator, Paul O’Sullivan answers questions from MPs.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has argued that private investigator, Paul O’Sullivan, did not have the necessary qualifications to occupy the position of the head of security at the Airports Company of Security in 2001.

O’Sullivan is appearing before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee in Cape Town looking into concerns around national security for a second day. He has been responding to allegations of undue influence he has had over police, among others.

O’Sullivan has refused to answer questions about his tertiary qualifications.

Malema has argued this is because O’Sullivan, who is being dogged by allegations he infiltrated the criminal justice system or is a spy, does not qualify for the position due to a lack of qualifications.

“You know why you are making a big deal of this? Because yesterday you lied when you said you did a technical course at Manchester University, we went to check and found it didn’t exist.”

AD HOC COMMITTEE | Paul O’Sullivan says he is not prepared to discuss his educational background with the committee. pic.twitter.com/TIUih3R6uf

— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 11, 2026

AD HOC COMMITTEE | EFF leader Julius Malema tells Paul O’Sullivan, “You know why you are making this a big issue (educational background), you lied yesterday and told us about a technikon that does not exist.” pic.twitter.com/BJLnZln9cf

— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 11, 2026

O’Sullivan says he has no confirmation whether Parliament made an assessment to determine the level of threat to his life. He initially insisted that he would only appear before the committee virtually, due to serious threats to his life.

He adds that the threats he referred to were made on social media.

Parliament agreed to adhere to his requests to beef up security. O’Sullivan was asked by EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys, if a security assessment was done to justify the security arrangements.

Mathys: “What I am saying is you submitted evidence that there are people threatening you on social media. But there was no assessment on whether those threats were legit or not. Then Parliament came to your rescue and provided you with security?

O’Sullivan: That would appear to be the case.