Forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan has told Parliament's ad hoc committee there have been about 10 attempts on his life in 15 years. And he has insisted that while he has worked in law-enforcing arenas, he has never been involved with South Africa's intelligence agencies.

"Since living in this country, I have not been involved in any way, shape or form with any intelligence activity whatsoever, and that is it in a nutshell," forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan has told Parliament.

He was testifying on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, before the ad hoc committee investigating accusations that a cartel has infiltrated South Africa's criminal justice system, politics and private security.

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi initially made the accusations, now under investigation, in July 2025.

Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines

He has before questioned O'Sullivan's background.

O'Sullivan, meanwhile, has made his stance on Mkhwanazi clear - that he does not believe the policeman is acting with honest intent.

This scandal has fuelled the idea that O'Sullivan is part of a coordinated faction, including state officials, that is against Mkhwanazi and those aligned with him, for either nefarious or legitimate reasons.

O'Sullivan testified at the ad hoc committee for the first time on Tuesday.

He insisted he was not a spy working for another country and was in no way linked to South Africa's intelligence services, pre- and post-democracy.

Several ad hoc committee members, though, and even its evidence leader, Norman Arendse, appeared unconvinced.

'A perfect front' versus a remarkable career

A...