Paul O'Sullivan in hot water after allegedly threatening Cedrick Nkabinde during parliamentary inquiry

Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan may have landed himself in hot water after he allegedly sent suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, a threatening message on Wednesday.

Nkabinde revealed the threatening message while giving evidence at the parliamentary inquiry into allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

After one of the breaks, Nkabinde asked to read into the inquiry’s record the message he allegedly received from O’Sullivan.

“Get ready, you lying crook. I am going to make sure you spend some years in prison. You were bribed by Mkhwanazi and Mapula,” read part of the message that warned Nkabinde that he was guaranteed to pay for his crimes.

O’Sullivan allegedly sent the message while he was one of the witnesses who have yet to be allocated dates at the inquiry, after several witnesses mentioned his name.

His alleged message was despite the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act.

The Act makes it an offence for a person to threaten or obstruct another person for giving evidence before Parliament, and those found guilty can be fined or imprisoned for a period not exceeding two years or both.

MK Party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo said the sooner O’Sullivan came to the committee, the better.

“We have heard about this man intimidating people, running the show, putting his hands where he does not qualify to put his hands, and he must come as a matter of urgency,” Nomvalo said.

ANC MP Xola Nqola said Parliament has the responsibility to protect witnesses who assisted the Ad Hoc Committee.

“We are not going to tolerate or stomach any form of intimidation if it comes out of testimony given to this committee,” said Nqola.

EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys said it was not the first time O’Sullivan sent such a threatening message, as he had done so to MPs in the Police Portfolio Committee in 2018.

“A strong message must be sent, and we must explore our legal obligations and options on what we can do. We can’t be threatened by this Paul O’Sullivan,” she said.

Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls urged that Nkabinde screenshot the message and called on Parliament to show the power vested in it.

MK Party MP David Skosana said his party will open a criminal case.

“We can’t have a thug intimidate parliamentarians and witnesses here,” he said.

“We should not be a banana republic or a mafia state,” Skosana added.

Committee Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said the parliamentary legal services will work with Nkabinde and find a way they can help him under the circumstances.

“The committee will discuss the matter and ensure that your rights as a citizen are protected,” he said.

Lekganyane also said they have full confidence that the parliamentary legal team will advise him on appropriate steps to be taken to help Nkabinde.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za