Paul O’Sullivan accused of getting money from Crime Intelligence slush fund

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 ActionSA says it will open a criminal case against fraud examiner Paul O’Sullivan, accusing him of lying under oath before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating alleged corruption, criminal infiltration and political interference within South Africa’s justice system. This follows explosive claims by ActionSA MP Dereleen James, who alleged that O’Sullivan received R100 000 from Crime Intelligence’s secret service account – widely referred to as the “slush fund”.

O’Sullivan returned to the Good Hope Chamber in Cape Town on Wednesday for a second day of testimony before the committee. He faces several accusations linked to his alleged conduct at the South African Police Service (Saps) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). Among them are claims that he exerted undue influence at Ipid during Robert McBride’s tenure as executive director.

He is also accused of targeting former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane in a bid to have him removed from office. Additionally, he allegedly sent threatening messages to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, during proceedings before the committee. Outside Parliament, O’Sullivan is embroiled in a legal dispute with KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

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Mkhwanazi has filed aR5 million defamation lawsuitagainst O’Sullivan after the latter accused him of being a criminal following a 6 July 2025 press conference. O’Sullivan has responded with aR10 million counter-application.

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