'My Way or No Way’: Mogotsi and O’Sullivan Clash With Parliament Over Security and Testimony Demands

Businessman Brown Mogotsi wants to dictate the terms of the security detail that will be provided for his appearance before Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mogotsi has made it clear that he will not budge unless his demands are met, placing the committee responsible for witness logistics in a difficult position.

Similarly, forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has informed the committee of his preference to deliver his testimony virtually.

Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls has dismissed both Mogotsi’s and O’Sullivan’s demands as “ludicrous”.

Mogotsi has insisted that Parliament pay for his security detail before he makes his appearance.   He has also refused to provide his identity number, which is required to arrange flights and accommodation.

Parliament’s committee secretary, Vhonani Ramaano, outlined the challenges surrounding Mogotsi’s and O’Sullivan’s attendance in a report delivered ahead of Wednesday’s proceedings.

“Mr Mogotsi demanded that we should provide him with protection with his own people,” Ramaano said.

He added that Parliament’s Protection Services were asked to assess the matter.

“The offer that was made was that he (Mogotsi) could come to Cape Town and, upon arrival, be provided with an escort. Mr Mogotsi refused that offer. He said he does not want to be protected by people he does not know. He prefers to have his own people protecting him and is requesting that Parliament fund that for a period of seven days,” Ramaano explained.

The committee has maintained that it will not tolerate O'Sullivan 's request, which amounted to a witness dictating how they want to appear.  

Sauls said he could not understand why Mogotsi and O’Sullivan were making such demands.

“One would expect that if they are patriotic South Africans, they would jump at the opportunity to come and help us get to the truth. So it is very disappointing from Mr O’Sullivan and Mr Mogotsi, and these demands are just ludicrous. It’s uncalled for.

“Government in Parliament is an authority in this country, and we must respect this legislative authority. We must do whatever is in our power to compel them to come, because we’re not playing here. We are trying to get to the truth,” Sauls said.

Addressing O’Sullivan’s conduct towards members of Parliament, Sauls emphasised that the witnesses are engaging with a structure of government.

“This is a matter of national security, and no matter what opinions you have about members of Parliament, there is a certain decorum that equally applies to him. We must show him respect, and he must show us respect. It is very uncalled for — very rude. That should not be how we engage each other.

“If we are patriotic and say we want to achieve the same aim, then it stands to reason that you should be open and willing to come and help the effort. I’m very disappointed in Mr O’Sullivan,” he said.

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