Paul O’Sullivan confirms AfriForum membership during Parliament testimony
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan confirms before Parliament’s ad hoc committee that he is a member of AfriForum during his second day of testimony.
Image: Armand Hough
Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has confirmed before Parliament’s ad hoc committee that he is a member of lobby group AfriForum, following direct questioning by Members of Parliament on Wednesday.
The admission came during his second day of testimony before the committee probing allegations of interference, corruption and misconduct within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the broader law enforcement apparatus.
Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Member of Parliament Sibonelo Nomvalo asked O’Sullivan whether he knew AfriForum and whether he had any relationship with the organisation.
“Absolutely, I do. I am a member of AfriForum,” O’Sullivan replied.
Nomvalo then shifted to O’Sullivan’s 2017 arrest, asking where he had been apprehended and whether the arrest had taken place at AfriForum’s offices.
“I was arrested in Lyttleton. I have been to visit attorneys,” O’Sullivan said.
Pressed further on whether he had been within AfriForum’s precinct at the time, he responded: “No, I had not been meeting with AfriForum. My meeting was with my attorney.”
O’Sullivan said AfriForum’s offices were situated next door to those of his legal representative and described the proximity as coincidental.
Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Member of Parliament, and Ad Hoc Committee member, Sibonelo Nomvalo
Image: Parliament RSA /Supplied
His February 2017 arrest — on charges including allegedly impersonating officials linked to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate — drew widespread attention at the time. The charges were later withdrawn.
AfriForum is known for its litigation and advocacy work on governance and policing matters, areas that often intersect with O’Sullivan’s public campaigns and investigations.
MPs also questioned O’Sullivan about being described in the media as a forensic expert.
“I consider myself to be an expert,” he told the committee.
When asked what qualifies him as such, O’Sullivan said: “Well I am a certified fraud examiner, I have set the exams as I explained yesterday that is equivalent to the NQF 7 which is a Bachelor's degree.”
The committee continues to examine O’Sullivan’s role, affiliations and past interventions as part of its broader inquiry into alleged factional battles and misconduct within law enforcement structures.
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