‘Summons is a last resort’: Didiza denies protecting Brown Mogotsi, Paul O’Sullivan

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza. Picture: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has denied claims that she is preventing alleged political fixer Oupa Brown Mogotsi and private investigator Paul O’Sullivan from testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee. Last week, the speaker decided not to authorise summonses to force their attendance at the inquiry into alleged criminal infiltration and political interference in South Africa’s law enforcement.

Mogotsi has raised security concerns after an alleged attempt on his life in November last year. WATCH:Paul O’Sullivan on why he does not want to appear in person before parliament He asked Parliament topay for his personal bodyguards, rejecting protection offered by Parliamentary Protection Services (PPS). O’Sullivan is believed to be in the United Kingdom (UK) and plans to return at the end of February.

Herequested to testify virtuallyso the committee can meet its deadline of 20 February. Speaking on the matter, Didiza sought to explain why she did notapprove the subpoenasagainst Mogotsi and O’Sullivan. She insisted that the claims suggesting she is shielding the pair are “incorrect” and mischaracterise both her role and the legal reasons for her decision. The speaker argued that O’Sullivan has not refused to appear and just only wants to testify virtually as allowed by the committee’s own terms of reference.