O’Sullivan faces scrutiny over his influence on law enforcement agencies

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi met to hear from Advocate Motlatlhwa Mashuga, who was a state prosecutor in a case involving forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan. ANC MP Khusela Sangoni-Diko expressed her relief and satisfaction that former senior State Advocate Michael Mashuga provided his testimony before forensic analyst Paul O’Sullivan is scheduled to return to the Parliament’s Ad Hoc committee. Mashuga appeared before the committee regarding thenotorious Kameeldrift rhino casethat was referenced in the evidence byformer IPID head Robert McBride, O’Sullivan, and former acting national commissioner Khomotso Phahlane.

Mashuga, who was the prosecutor in the case, has been authorised by National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi to give evidence on the case that was withdrawn and not re-enrolled after it was struck off the roll nearly a decade ago. The case dates back to the 2014 arrest of a rhino poaching syndicate that was allegedly involved in killing 22 rhinos and stealing 84 horns estimated at R22 million. O’Sullivan is expected to make his third appearance before Parliament’s investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi after heabruptly walked out of proceedings last Thursday. Speaking on the sidelines, Sangoni-Diko said that she was very glad Mashuga appeared beforeO’Sullivan’s third appearancebefore the committee, but also before the arrival of O’ Sullivan’s former PA, Sarah Jane Trent, on Thursday.