O’Sullivan takes stand, denies spy allegations before committee

Private investigator Paul O’Sullivan has taken the stand before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, opening his testimony by disclosing his medical condition, including challenges with his hearing.

O’Sullivan has also confirmed that he is accompanied by a person assisting with his security needs during the proceedings, and that Parliamentary Protection Services are aware of the individual’s presence within the precinct.

His appearance before the committee is expected to form a key part of the hearings, as he places evidence and his version of events on record.

Addressing Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, O’Sullivan confirms that he holds citizenship in three countries, but insists that his loyalty lies firmly with South Africa.

He tells the committee that allegations branding him as an international spy are false and defamatory.

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IPID

O’Sullivan 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 acting Police commissioner, Khomotso Phahlane.

Speaking to SABC News ahead of his appearance this morning, O’Sullivan claimed that he was subject to intimidation and abuse by corrupt police officers during his investigation of Phahlane 10 years ago.

“I just want to cast our minds back [to] 10 years ago when I went after the second chief of police which was Phahlane. During that period, I was arrested multiple times, my staff were kidnapped, my offices were raided several times. I was held in jail and tortured for three days.”

“I was yanked off a plane on my way to London with minor children and assaulted in front of my two minor children. And here we are 10 years later and we have some of those rogues coming back and repeating the same rubbish that they made 10 years ago and I’m not putting up with this. I’m going to be giving the truth now,” adds O’Sullivan.