Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee gears up for Paul O'Sullivan's crucial testimony

As Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee eagerly awaits the testimony of forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, they are also preparing to request an extension from the Speaker until March 6. 

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, met on Monday to discuss housekeeping matters, where it was revealed that the committee will be hearing from O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan’s appearance before the committee had been a contentious one, with the committee ultimately writing to the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, requesting that she issue a summons for his appearance.

O’Sullivan previously requested a virtual hearing owing to safety concerns. The committee had been hesitant to acquiesce, with many MPs raising concerns about avoiding answering questions that O’Sullivan did not like.

On Monday, Didiza’s office said that she welcomed the committee following her guidance that further substantive engagement be pursued before resorting to the issuing of summonses.

“The Speaker understands that engagements are continuing with another witness, Mr Brown Mogotsi. Should further engagement not yield the necessary outcome, the Speaker will be advised by the Ad Hoc Committee so that the issuing of a summons may be considered.

“The issuing of a summons is a serious legal measure and must remain an act of last resort. It cannot be invoked lightly or without meeting the strict legal requirements prescribed by law,” her office said.

“Issuing summonses prematurely or without proper procedural grounding risks undermining the credibility of Parliament’s processes and exposing them to avoidable judicial review.”

Meanwhile, O’Sullivan said that he had landed in South Africa from London, rejecting claims that he was fleeing accountability, “I am not in the business of fleeing, I am not a coward”.

During Monday meeting, evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse SC, said that they are in regular contact with Mogotsi and “we are quite hopeful of resolution of that matter as soon as possible, and if we don’t by Wednesday, then we will indicate to you Honourable Chair, that it might be the case, through you, (we) request the Speaker to authorise a summons, and if necessary, a warrant, if he doesn’t comply”.

The committee also discussed seeking an extension of the committee until March 6, with a proposed revised timeline of witnesses, which included fellow MP, Fadiel Adams, O’Sullivan’s assistant, Sarah Jane-Trent, Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, and Mkhwanazi.

The Ad Hoc committee will take a break after Wednesday, as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) is occurring on Thursday.

Committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane they would write to the Office of the Speaker to request an extension.

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