Citizen of three countries, Paul O’Sullivan denies foreign agent allegations

Forensic investigatorPaul O’Sullivan on Tuesday dismissed allegations that he works as an agent for foreign intelligence agencies.

At the start of his testimony, forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan was led by Advocate Norman Arendse SC, the committee’s evidence leader, who questioned him about his citizenship as outlined in his affidavit.

“In your affidavit you mention that you hold citizenship of three countries, and you discuss that at paragraph three,” Arendse said.

O’Sullivan explained that he first held Irish citizenship, later became a British citizen, and subsequently acquired South African citizenship.

“So when I became a citizen of South Africa, I already had citizenship of Ireland and the United Kingdom,” he said.

O’Sullivan told the committee that he was born in England to Irish parents and raised in Ireland.

“When I grew up, I considered myself Irish, so I took the Irish passport. Later, I obtained a British passport because, having been born in Britain, I was entitled to that passport. I saw no reason why I shouldn’t have these passports,” he said.

Arendse then put it to O’Sullivan that there were allegations suggesting he worked for foreign intelligence agencies or foreign countries.

O’Sullivan rejected the allegations.

“With due respect, I have been in this country for 40 years, and I can categorically state that I have not performed any foreign agent activities over those 40 years,” he said.

“My loyalty is to South Africa.”

Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations of interference, corruption and misconduct within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the broader law enforcement apparatus, that he has brought his own security, and is also supported by police.

At the beginning of his testimony, O'Sullivan was asked if he had brought other individuals with him into the room. He said he was with a man he identified as Paul Gibson.

"I cannot see him .. Paul Gibson. The security team of Parliament scattered here in this room and outside. Police have provided me with additional escorts as well. This was necessary because of the threats that have been made against me," O'Sullivan interacted with  the chairperson of the ad hoc committee, Soviet Lekganyane.

Just hours before appearing in Parliament on Tuesday morning, O’Sullivan made remarks outside the precinct describing KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo as “rogue” and accusing them of conduct warranting imprisonment.

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