Paul O’Sullivan takes stand, vows to ‘set record straight’

Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan is taking the stand on Tuesday before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, in what is shaping up to be a losely watched appearance.

Speaking ahead of his testimony, O’Sullivan has dismissed allegations levelled against him, describing those behind the claims as “criminals”, and saying such attacks come with the territory after more than three decades in investigative work.

He has also accused some commentators within Parliament of crossing the line from criticism into defamation, including claims that he is an international spy.

O’Sullivan says he will use his testimony to set the record straight and present facts to the committee, while also raising concerns about corruption and criminal elements within the criminal justice system.

Ad Hoc Committee | Criminals in justice system need to be cleaned out: Paul O’Sullivan

Political analyst, Goodenough Mashego says he anticipates that O’Sullivan’s testimony before the Committee will be a waste of time.

O’Sullivan had earlier requested to appear virtually – citing security concerns.

He will be questioned on allegations that he impersonated an official from the police watchdog Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) – and that he was part of a task team that plotted against former Police commissioner, Kgomotso Phahlane.

Mashego says O’Sullivan is likely to be very vague in his responses to the committee.

“I don’t even think today’s inquisition is going to take off given the character of Paul O’Sullivan. First of all, when you appear before any committee that has been established to investigate something you cannot lead the conditions to say I’m going to appear on condition that these other political parties are not going to ask questions from me. And also that condition of saying he wanted to appear at the South African embassy instead of appearing where everyone else is appearing.”

Mashego adds, “so, I think we are likely to have a situation like that of Robert McBride whereby somebody refuses to give a lot of information about themselves and if parliamentarians are going to bend backwards to accommodate Paul O’Sullivan, it’s going to be a waste of time. Because at the end of the day, he’s going to select the questions he’s going to answer and we are not going to get a clear picture about the allegations made about him.”

VIDEO | Paul O’Sullivan to testify before Ad Hoc Committee- Goodenough Mashego weighs in: