O’Sullivan
By Karabo Marifi
In a dramatic turn in South Africa’s ongoing battle against corruption in law enforcement, forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has filed a R10-million counterclaim against KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
This legal move comes amid heated accusations traded during high-profile inquiries into police misconduct. 
The clash highlights deep rifts within the country’s policing structures and raises questions about accountability and whistleblowing.
O’Sullivan, known for his work exposing graft through his organisation Forensics for Justice, claims Mkhwanazi’s statements have caused him severe harm. He is demanding a retraction or full payment of damages, as the feud spills from commission hearings into the courts.
Roots of the Conflict: Accusations and Counter-Accusations
The dispute traces back to explosive claims made by Mkhwanazi during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in September 2025. Chaired by retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission is investigating criminality, political interference, and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Mkhwanazi, as the first witness, alleged that O’Sullivan acts as a “foreign agent” with ties to international intelligence agencies like MI6, Mossad, and the CIA. He also claimed O’Sullivan collaborated closely with former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride to sway police probes.

These allegations did not stop at the commission. On 8 October 2025, during an appearance before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, Mkhwanazi reportedly said O’Sullivan has “control all over” and urged the country not to “sit back and be run by Mr Paul O’Sullivan.” He even suggested citizens take “drastic action” if the government fails to curb O’Sullivan’s supposed influence.  Another key remark came on 19 September 2025, when Mkhwanazi implied O’Sullivan was linked to an unspecified crime in KwaZulu-Natal. 
O’Sullivan has strongly denied these claims, calling them “wild fabrications” meant to quiet whistleblowers and disrupt his own planned testimony at the Madlanga Commission.  He argues that Mkhwanazi’s words have led to “severe reputational and financial harm,” including death threats that he links directly to the commissioner’s public statements.  In an interview, O’Sullivan said, “I’m now receiving threats… That’s the result of a senior police official telling Parliament that the country should take drastic action against me. That’s not how a democracy works.” 
O’Sullivan has also raised safety concerns, emailing the Madlanga Commission to request protection due to the threats and what he sees as Mkhwanazi’s incitement of violence.  He described Mkhwanazi as part of a “broken system” and insisted he has evidence showing the commissioner is no “knight in shining armour.” 
Timeline of the Lawsuits: From R5 Million to R10 Million
The legal battle kicked off on 16 September 2025, when Mkhwanazi filed a R5-million defamation suit against O’Sullivan in the Johannesburg High Court.  This was just hours before Mkhwanazi’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission. Mkhwanazi accused O’Sullivan of damaging his reputation through media statements where O’Sullivan called him a “criminal” who runs a “hit squad” and is involved in corruption.  O’Sullivan had demanded Mkhwanazi’s removal from his post after the commissioner made damning allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya. 
In response, O’Sullivan’s legal team from Ulrich Roux & Associates fired back with a R10-million counterclaim on 10 October 2025.  The counter-suit demands that Mkhwanazi retract his remarks from the Madlanga Commission and the Ad Hoc Committee, or pay the full amount in damages.  O’Sullivan views Mkhwanazi’s initial lawsuit as a “desperate attempt to silence whistleblowers.” 
This escalation reflects a pattern of “lawfare,” where courts are used to intimidate and distract, according to some observers.  O’Sullivan has also hit back at critics, noting he holds four passports, not three as alleged, and dismissing supporters of Mkhwanazi as following a “cult.” 
The Madlanga Commission: Uncovering Deep-Seated Issues in Policing
The Madlanga Commission lies at the heart of this saga. Established to probe infiltration by criminal syndicates into law enforcement, it has heard shocking testimonies about corruption involving politicians, police, prosecutors, and even the judiciary.  Mkhwanazi’s July 2025 media briefing, where he appeared in Special Task Force gear flanked by armed officers, accused Mchunu of interfering in investigations, including shutting down a task team on political killings.  Both Mchunu and Sibiya have denied these claims.
Mkhwanazi further alleged that syndicates controlled by drug cartels and businesspeople have penetrated the system.  His statements led to marches across South Africa in his support, organised by civil society and opposition parties.  In July 2025, arrests were made in the murder of musician DJ Sumbody, which Mkhwanazi had linked to hindered probes.  President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended the Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions following related allegations. 
O’Sullivan, set to testify soon, says Mkhwanazi’s attacks aim to undermine his evidence on police corruption.  The commission has exposed divisions, with Mkhwanazi gaining national recognition for his role as acting National Police Commissioner in the past. 
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