O'Sullivan insisted that he appeared voluntarily and would leave of his own accord
Paul O’Sullivan testifies before Parliament’s ad hoc committee at the Good Hope Chamber in Cape Town on 10 February 2026. Picture: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach
Proceedings at Parliament’s ad hoc committee erupted into chaos on Thursday when forensic expert Paul O’Sullivan abruptly left during his testimony.
O’Sullivan had returned to complete his evidence as part of the committee’s inquiry investigating allegations of corruption, criminal infiltration and political interference within South Africa’s justice system.
The tension peaked as O’Sullivan, originally expected to testify until 1pm, faced further accusations suggesting he might be a spy or foreign agent.
Paul O’Sullivan walks out of ad hoc committee
As the scheduled end time approached, O’Sullivan said he needed to leave for a flight to Johannesburg.
“I have reached a point chairman, where I have to go,” he told MPs.
EFF leader Julius Malema immediately intervened, warning that O’Sullivan could not simply walk out on Parliament.
“He is not going to leave until [the chairperson] releases him,” Malema said.
ALSO READ: ‘Good Christian country’: Inside Paul O’Sullivan’s letter ‘pleading’ to move to SA during apartheid
MK party MP David Skosana drew parallels to a high-profile incident in December 2025, when former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi walked out of the Nkabinde inquiry into Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office.
“It cannot be allowed. He is doing the same thing as Batohi.
“You can’t leave here, you are appearing before us. We don’t care about your flight,” Skosana said.
Watch the video below:
Paul O’Sullivan just walked out of parliament! He’s showing them who’s the boss. I wouldn’t be surprised if Paul is running this country #AdHocCommittee pic.twitter.com/hE9jJ3jLt2
– Lucky is my name (@LuckygirlWaseSA) February 26, 2026
Despite the pressure, O’Sullivan insisted that he came voluntarily and would leave of his own accord.
“I’m leaving on my own free will.”
Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane called on the parliamentary legal team for guidance on handling the unprecedented walkout, while ANC MP Xola Nqola stressed the seriousness of the matter.
Contempt of Parliament
The EFF has since slammed O’Sullivan, accusing him of running away from questioning “like a criminal with something to hide”.
The party stated that his actions amount to contempt of Parliament.
“The EFF will be pursuing through Parliament, the office of the speaker and additionally explore our own legal options to compel O’Sullivan to appear before Parliament and account for allegations made against him.
“O’Sullivan must be considered as a fugitive, and a dangerous one who, through his own admissions, has an aircraft, multiple passports and can flee South Africa in order to avoid justice and accountability,” the EFF’s statement read.
Spy allegations
Earlier, Skosana questioned O’Sullivan’s move to South Africa during apartheid, citing his background in the British army and military intelligence, implying espionage.
O’Sullivan, born in Ireland, holds triple citizenship in South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom (UK).
He moved to South Africa in 1989 after obtaining permanent residency, having previously visited and invested in property.
He joined the South African police as a reservist in 1990.
“Of all the countries in the world, why did you choose to invest in apartheid South Africa?
“You moved to South Africa so you could enjoy apartheid South Africa? Am I right to say that?” Skosana asked.
O’Sullivan rejected the suggestion, saying he relocated because he saw the country moving toward democracy.
Skosana continued to insist O’Sullivan is a spy, which the forensic expert dismissed as “rubbish”.
“If he calls me a spy one more time, I am going to stop answering his questions. I’m fed up with that. He is trying to make his point and he is lying through his teeth,” O’Sullivan said.
The MK party MP later escalated his accusations, calling O’Sullivan a con artist.
“You are a conman. You are a thug. You are a thief. You are everything this country doesn’t need.”
NOW READ: Paul O’Sullivan accused of getting money from Crime Intelligence slush fund
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