Paul O'Sullivan says his testimony before Parliament will shock many

Forensic consultant Paul O'Sullivan says he is ready to testify before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of misconduct and infiltration of the criminal justice system — but insists he will only do so virtually.

Speaking to IOL from London, O’Sullivan rejected claims that he had left South Africa to avoid testifying before the committee, which has demanded that he appear in person in Cape Town.

“No, I have business to do, and I am doing my business. I have business in the UK which I am doing. I have told them I am happy to do it virtually,” he said.

“They want me there in person so that I can be shot,” O’Sullivan alleged.

He said that if the committee attempted to subpoena him, he would challenge it in court.

“If they subpoena me, my lawyers will go to court, because I am in London, what the hell. On Monday, I am flying to Dublin. How can I be in South Africa if I am moving around doing my business, you know?”

O’Sullivan insisted he was prepared to give extensive evidence via a video link.

“I want to give evidence. There is so much I have to say, but I want to do it virtually. I will explode them, they don’t know what I've got. I have got to put it all on the table and they will be shocked about what I have,” he said.

On Thursday, IOL reported that former IPID head Robert McBride has defended the integrity of investigations conducted by his Directorate, denying accusations of political interference and manipulation.

Testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption and political interference, McBride responded to a series of probing questions from ANC MP Xola Nqola, who raised concerns about his relationship with O'Sullivan and the formation of task teams within IPID.

McBride firmly denied that O'Sullivan controlled any investigations, stating: "He's one of the sources of information. There are others also."

He explained that O'Sullivan provided some useful information, but emphasised that the decision-making in investigations was entirely within IPID's authority.

When asked about the alleged involvement of O'Sullivan in identifying Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane's house as a crime scene, McBride clarified that O'Sullivan merely showed investigators the location.

"The house was built without registered money," McBride said.

He added that there was evidence suggesting the money used for the property came in "black plastic bags", which raised suspicions of corruption.

However, McBride insisted that the house itself was the "proceeds of crime", not the crime scene.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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