‘It was O’Sullivan’s own investigation, not Ipid’: Ex-NPA prosecutor details Paul’s ‘interference’

Forensic expert Paul O’Sullivan. Picture: Gallo Images / Deaan Vivier A former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) official has told parliament’s ad hoc committee that forensic expert Paul O’Sullivan was deeply involved in an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) investigation he was not authorised to lead. Molatlhwa Michael Mashuga, a former senior prosecutor, testified in Cape Town on Wednesday that O’Sullivan was deeply embedded in Ipid’s affairs during an investigation into former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane.

Mashuga previously led the state’s case against O’Sullivan, his former assistant Sarah-Jane Trent, and Ipid investigators Mandlakayise Mahlangu and Temane Binang. The group was arrested in 2017 and appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on charges including fraud, extortion, intimidation and alleged breaches of the Ipid Act. The charges stemmed from claims that O’Sullivan and his co-accused involved themselves in the Phahlane investigation and contravened the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

However, the matter was later struck off the roll by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria because of delays. O’Sullivan was released from custody and the case was not reinstated. During Wednesday’s proceedings, evidence leader Norman Arendse confirmed that National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Andy Mothibi had granted Mashuga, who reportedly resigned in 2024, limited permission to testify.

[paywall]

Arendse informed the committee that Mothibi submitted a report explaining why the NPA halted the prosecution. According to the report, Mashuga had preferred racketeering charges under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, but it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence.

[/paywall]