Damning testimony exposes corruption ties to Ramaphosa's circle

ATTORNEY and certified fraud examiner Sarah-Jane Trent revealed unsettling connections involving high-ranking government officials and key institutions, echoing the narrative of alleged honey traps aimed at capturing influential figures.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

She was giving testimony before the committee probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

While previous testimonies had focused on former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride, Trent's evidence shed more light on his relationship with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s advisor Bejani Chauke.

The committee had heard that Trent and O'Sullivan captured Ipid and illegally accessed personal information in executing their work when they plotted the downfall of former acting national commissioner Khomotso Phahlane.

ANC MP Xola Nqola had stated that among the strategies employed was that Trent dated McBride, and the other must provide financial resources as a way of capturing to execute the programme of collapse of Phahlane.

O'Sullivan confirmed he contributed to McBride's legal fees during his suspension challenge and later lodged a case against Phahlane upon reinstatement to assist Ipid in the investigation.

Trent stated that she met Chauke at O’Sullivan’s nonprofit organisation, Forensic for Justice, when her former boss reached out to someone who could communicate with Ramaphosa.

“He wanted to speak to Andile Ramaphosa to see if he would want to clear his name or give his version of events because we were opening a case and there were allegations against him. That is how I met Dr Chauke,” she said.