Adviser Hits Back at Paul O’Sullivan Allegations
By Chris Williams
Cape Town –
A top adviser to President Cyril Ramaphosa has strongly denied claims by forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan that he sought advice on appointing a new national police commissioner.
The adviser, Dr Bejani Chauke, said O’Sullivan was the one who approached him repeatedly, almost like harassment, to push for certain candidates. This comes amid heated testimony at a parliamentary ad hoc committee probing corruption and interference in the South African Police Service.
Background to the Dispute
The issue stems from O’Sullivan’s appearance before the ad hoc committee, where he made bold statements about senior police leaders.
He described KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, and Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo as “rogue” officials who should be in prison for their actions.
O’Sullivan said these leaders showed conduct that deserved serious punishment, pointing to what he called deep-rooted corruption in the police force. His testimony was dramatic, but it got cut short when he complained of being in agony from pain, delaying further questions.
During his time on the stand, O’Sullivan revealed that in 2022, after the removal of former commissioner General Khehla Sitole, Chauke contacted him for input on a shortlist of candidates for the top job.
He claimed his organisation, Forensics for Justice, did lifestyle audits on about eight names. According to O’Sullivan, six of them were unfit due to their lavish lifestyles that did not match their salaries.
This vetting, he said, was informal but helped guide the process. The committee, chaired by ANC MP Soviet Lekganyane, is looking into wider claims of misconduct, including how outsiders might sway police decisions.
O’Sullivan’s role in these matters has raised eyebrows. He joined the police in 1990 as a reservist and later took on bigger tasks, but some question his motives.
Critics, including EFF leader Julius Malema, have accused him of coming to South Africa in the 1980s to benefit from privileges during apartheid, calling his explanations naive.
O’Sullivan denied being a foreign agent or involved in the old security police, stressing his three citizenships – from Ireland through his parents, the UK by birth, and South Africa by naturalisation – do not make him disloyal. He insisted he aimed to give back to the force, not take from it.
Chauke’s Firm Rejection
In a detailed statement, Chauke explained that getting advice from outsiders is a normal part of his job as a special adviser. He often receives suggestions on appointments, including well-thought-out ideas meant to help the President decide.
But he stressed that this does not mean he lets anyone sway the outcome unfairly.
Chauke directly addressed O’Sullivan’s story, saying it was public knowledge there was a shortlist for the SAPS commissioner role after the vacancy. Many people tried to lobby him, but he kept the process clean.
He accused O’Sullivan of being one of those lobbyists who went too far, almost stalking and harassing him to back a candidate favoured by O’Sullivan or his group.
O’Sullivan claimed most shortlisted candidates were corrupt and compromised, saying only two were suitable – and one was not even on the list.
Chauke made it clear he did not ask for O’Sullivan’s help. He challenged the blanket claims of corruption and demanded proof.
The process, he added, was open and fair, backed by a panel that checked the candidates, which should give South Africans confidence in how it was handled.This counters O’Sullivan’s version, where he portrayed himself as a helpful expert brought in to vet names.
The 2022 Appointment Process in Detail
The vacancy came after General Khehla Sitole was removed in 2022, leading to a search for a permanent replacement. General Fannie Masemola was eventually appointed, but not without controversy.
O’Sullivan’s audits allegedly flagged issues like mismatched lifestyles, suggesting hidden wealth or corruption.
Questions from ANC MP Khusela Diko during the hearing brought this out, with O’Sullivan admitting the shortlist had problems.
Beyond the commissioner role, the ad hoc committee has heard from others like Cedrick Nkabinde, chief of staff to suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu.
Nkabinde accused O’Sullivan of having too much sway over SAPS, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, and even the National Prosecuting Authority.
He said O’Sullivan could stop processes with just an email, calling it “the real state capture”. General Khomotso Phahlane echoed this, claiming O’Sullivan captured parts of the system and had his criminal history hidden.
O’Sullivan rejected these as lies and defamation. He brought his own security to the hearing, plus police protection, due to alleged threats. He initially wanted to testify virtually from abroad but agreed to appear in person after pushback.
South Africa’s first post-apartheid commissioner, George Fivaz, called O’Sullivan a name-dropper with no credibility.
Wider Allegations of Influence and Corruption
The committee is digging into systemic failures in policing. Witnesses like Nkabinde described O’Sullivan’s links as dangerous, with a “rogue unit” in the system.
ActionSA’s Athol Trollip questioned how O’Sullivan acts like a SAPS spokesperson without an official role. O’Sullivan has sued Mkhwanazi for R10 million over defamation.
These claims highlight tensions between anti-corruption fighters and police leaders. O’Sullivan positions himself as a whistleblower, but others see him as an interferer. The inquiry aims to fix these issues and restore trust in law enforcement.
Implications for South African Policing
This back-and-forth raises questions about how appointments happen and who gets to influence them. Chauke’s defence stresses transparency, while O’Sullivan’s accusations point to possible flaws.
The committee’s findings could lead to changes, ensuring future processes are free from outside pressure.
As the hearings continue, South Africans watch closely, hoping for a stronger, cleaner police service. The debate shows the ongoing fight against corruption, with figures like O’Sullivan and Chauke at the centre.
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