A senior official testified before a parliamentary committee that a private investigator, Paul O’Sullivan, exerted extensive and improper influence over several key law enforcement bodies. Cedrick Nkabinde, the chief of staff for the suspended Police Minister, alleged that O’Sullivan operated without any official authority yet effectively directed activities within the South African Police Service, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, and the National Prosecuting Authority.
Nkabinde claimed this influence included blocking appointments and orchestrating a campaign to remove the former acting national commissioner, Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane. He described a secret meeting at O’Sullivan’s home where participants, including former IPID head Robert McBride, allegedly plotted to undermine Phahlane. Nkabinde further asserted that cases against O’Sullivan have been stalled within the prosecuting authority and suggested the investigator received foreign funding for his activities.
Nkabinde claimed this influence included blocking appointments and orchestrating a campaign to remove the former acting national commissioner, Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane. He described a secret meeting at O’Sullivan’s home where participants, including former IPID head Robert McBride, allegedly plotted to undermine Phahlane. Nkabinde further asserted that cases against O’Sullivan have been stalled within the prosecuting authority and suggested the investigator received foreign funding for his activities.
