‘My loyalty is to South Africa’: Paul O’Sullivan denies being foreign agent

Paul O’Sullivan testifies before Parliament’s ad hoc committee at the Good Hope Chamber in Cape Town on 10 February 2026. Picture: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach Fraud examiner Paul O’Sullivan finally appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Tuesday, where he denied claims that he is a foreign agent or former spy during a tense exchange over his background. O’Sullivan was testifying before the committee investigating allegations of corruption, criminal infiltration and political interference within South Africa’s law enforcement structures.

His appearance followed testimony by several witnesses, including KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who implicated him. After O’Sullivan asked to give evidence virtually – arguing that he facedsecurity risksand was overseas – the committee appealed to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to force his in-person appearance at the Good Hope Chamber in Cape Town. However, once Parliament put security measures in place, O’Sullivan ultimatelydecided to appearbefore the committee in person.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, O’Sullivan outlined his professional background, stating that he established forensic investigative firm O’Sullivan Brosnan and Associates in 2012, focusing largely on fraud in the private sector. He told the committee his non-profit organisation, Forensic for Justice, was launched in 2015 to investigate corruption in government institutions, particularly within the criminal justice system and state-owned entities such as Eskom. O’Sullivan testified that he had initially avoided investigating the public sector as he had no interest.