Private investigator Paul O’ Sullivan has said he will not appear in person before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of police corruption, citing serious concerns about his personal safety.
Speaking to media, Paul O’ Sullivan said travelling to Cape Town to give evidence would expose him to unacceptable risk. He believes a physical appearance before the committee could make him a target for those who may wish to harm him.
The committee is tasked with probing allegations of wrongdoing and corruption within the South African Police Service. A number of high-profile figures are expected to give evidence during the hearings, which are scheduled to continue this month.
Paul O’ Sullivan has agreed to testify virtually rather than attend in person. He insists this approach balances his willingness to cooperate with Parliament while safeguarding his constitutional rights. According to the investigator, he formally notified Parliament as early as November last year that he would not appear physically because of security concerns.
He argues that the risks he faces are not hypothetical. “Any attempt to get me into a position where I will be harmed and can be murdered, I will resist,” he said. He added that he has a constitutional right to life and suggested that some of those calling for his physical appearance may have ulterior motives.
Paul O’ Sullivan has long been involved in investigations related to organised crime and alleged corruption, a role that he says has exposed him to repeated threats over the years. His refusal to appear in person has therefore reignited debate about witness protection and the safety of individuals who testify before parliamentary inquiries.
The Ad Hoc Committee’s witness list includes several notable figures, among them the head of Crime Intelligence, Dumisani Khumalo, and former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride. Their testimonies are expected to shed light on claims of misconduct within law enforcement structures.
Oral hearings are due to resume this week. Former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane is scheduled to appear before the committee on Wednesday. Parliament has not indicated whether it will challenge Paul O’ Sullivan’s decision to testify virtually or whether additional security measures could be considered.
For now, the private investigator remains firm in his stance, maintaining that his cooperation should not come at the expense of his personal safety.
