Mkhwanazi sues forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan for R5 million over defamation claims

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has filed a defamation lawsuit against well-known forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan, seeking damages of R5 million.

This legal action follows O'Sullivan's ongoing public statements, in which he has labelled Mkhwanazi a "criminal" and called for his suspension from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

O'Sullivan's remarks came in response to serious allegations made by Mkhwanazi against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya.

This is not the first time O'Sullivan has overstepped the boundary, last month, Athol Trollip, the Chief Whip of ActionSA, filed criminal charges against the investigator, claiming that he threatened and intimidated him.

Trollip filed a complaint at the Central Police Station in Cape Town claiming that O’Sullivan had sent him several threatening text messages that interfered with his ability to perform his duties in parliamentary oversight.

Trollip said that O’Sullivan's behaviour was a direct attack on an elected official, and he was of the view that this type of behavior ought to be addressed legally.

He read through a message which he said came from O'Sullivan.

"I have been looking at your misinformed attacks on me on social media because someone forwarded them to me. You are clearly an arrogant fool who doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. Mkhwanazi is one of the biggest criminals that ever wore a police uniform; his crimes, when they are finally exposed, will shock the nation. Best part is, unlike you, you are in receipt of my taxpayer rand. I don’t get a single cent, then he said you attacked me personally on social media as if you’re Mkhwanazi’s right-hand man, which means that you must be supporting his criminal conduct. Either that, you are far too stupid to know a criminal when you see one," read the message.

Speaking to the SABC, Trollip said he's not a criminal and was only performing his duties and as member of Parliament. 

"All I was doing, as a public representative and member of Parliament, was calling for the allegations, both his and Mkhwanazi’s, to be investigated. If that intimidates him and elicits this kind of response, it’s absolutely melodramatic," he said at the time.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus