Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan testified before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Wednesday that a sworn affidavit in his possession alleges KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi organised an extra-judicial team to kill criminal suspects .
Led in evidence by senior counsel Advocate Norman Arendse, O’Sullivan said the deponent claims to have been part of the alleged hit squad, which reportedly consisted of members from the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). The deponent alleged Mkhwanazi would attend killing scenes “with other police officers to clean it up” and that members were paid R20,000 monthly in cash for killings, operating in three groups of about 20 people .
O’Sullivan stated the original sworn statement was handed to the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and that he had refrained from further involvement .
He further alleged he was anonymously supplied with four sworn statements by police officers implicating PKTT members in bribery during an investigation at the University of Fort Hare, claiming members admitted receiving gratification, including the team leader who allegedly received R10,000. “To date, not one of these corrupt officials have been suspended, let alone been arrested and criminally charged for corruption,” O’Sullivan said .
O’Sullivan also questioned Mkhwanazi’s authority over the Crime Intelligence “slush fund” (secret service account), alleging Mkhwanazi lacks required security clearance to manage informants—a function reserved for Crime Intelligence. He claimed the fund’s budget ballooned from R98 million in 2012/13 to R600 million annually, with “zero accountability” .
O’Sullivan faces counter-allegations, including claims from ActionSA MP Dereleen James that he received R100,000 from the slush fund—which he denied, stating the payment was a 2006 reimbursement from the Scorpions, not Crime Intelligence . Mkhwanazi has filed a R5 million defamation lawsuit against O’Sullivan, who countered with R10 million .
O’Sullivan’s testimony continues as the committee investigates allegations of corruption and political interference in SAPS .