Thoko Didiza expresses concern over Paul O’Sullivan's walkout from Parliament committee

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has expressed deep concern over the actions of forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, who walked out of the Parliament’s ad hoc committee while still giving evidence on Thursday. 

Didiza described the developments as “unfortunate.”

All of this unfolded at the committee established to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal SAPS provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Didiza said Parliamentary committees are constitutionally mandated to conduct oversight, gather evidence, and interrogate matters of public importance in a manner that upholds the dignity, authority and integrity of Parliament. 

“Witnesses appearing before committees are expected to cooperate fully with proceedings and to respect the authority of Parliament.”

“The Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2004, expressly prohibits any person from improperly interfering with or impeding the exercise by Parliament or its committees of their authority or functions.”

She said the Act further prohibits creating or taking part in any disturbance while the committee is meeting.

“The Speaker is concerned about the implications of this conduct for Parliament’s ability to discharge its constitutional obligation to exercise oversight and to thoroughly interrogate the serious allegations that are before the Ad Hoc Committee.”

Didiza said she has requested an urgent report from the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee, Soviet Lekganyane, detailing the events of the proceedings, including the circumstances surrounding O'Sullivan's departure. 

“Upon receipt and consideration of this report, the Speaker will determine what action, if any, may be necessary in terms of the Powers and Privileges Act and the Rules of the National Assembly to safeguard the integrity of Parliament and to ensure that its constitutional mandate is not undermined.”

Parliament said it remains committed to ensuring that its processes are conducted in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and its established Rules, and that oversight is exercised firmly, fairly and without fear or favour.

This comes after O'Sullivan left the committee while he was still under questioning by Advocate Bongiwe Mkhize, who said she had only a few questions left, when a heated exchange erupted over his repeated requests to ask questions and his insistence that he needed to leave by 1pm to avoid the cost of rescheduling his flight.

As Mkhize wrapped up, O’Sullivan stood, gathered his belongings and began walking out.

EFF leader Julius Malema told him to sit down, saying he had not been dismissed. 

MK Party MP David Skosana said they would open a case against him for walking out of the hearing.

“You are walking out,” Malema and Skosana said, to which O’Sullivan replied, “I am finished.”

Malema said only the committee chair, Lekganyane, could excuse him.

O’Sullivan continued past MPs and left the proceedings, later saying he could not continue because he needed to catch his flight. 

Lekganyane thanked members for restraining themselves, acknowledging that the situation could provoke strong emotions. 

He said the committee would seek advice from Parliamentary Legal Services following the witness’s departure.

The committee adjourned briefly and continued with testimony from former national police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane.

Meanwhile, the EFF said it will open a criminal case against O’Sullivan following his dramatic walkout from a parliamentary inquiry.

In a media alert issued on Friday, February 27, 2026, the party invited members of the media to attend the opening of a criminal case at 08:30 at Cape Town Central Police Station.

The party has previously called on Didiza to lay a criminal charge of contempt of Parliament against O’Sullivan.

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