O'Sullivan blames Mkhwanazi for 'death threats'

Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan fears for his life after receiving threats following what he describes as KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s incitement of violence against him.

- By Setumo Stone

The sleuth has now formally asked the Madlanga commission to protect him.

The urgent plea was made in an official email correspondence to the commission secretary, submitted alongside a damning dossier of allegations.

The communication, dated October 10, reveals the depth of O’Sullivan’s apprehension. In one email, he writes, “Due to the threats against me and the violence that Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi has publicly incited against me, I would request that we have an urgent discussion to take steps to prevent an attempt at my murder.”

The plea to the commission is intrinsically linked to the escalating public feud between the investigator and the police boss.

The situation escalated legally just hours after O’Sullivan's email was sent. His lawyers launched a counteroffensive, demanding R10-million in damages from the KZN provincial police leader for reportedly instigating the violence against their client.

The counterclaim doubles the value of Mkhwanazi’s ongoing defamation lawsuit against their client.

O’Sullivan’s legal team, led by Ulrich Roux, has demanded that Mkhwanazi retract his statements and issue a public apology within two business days, failing which, the counterclaim for the damages will continue.

O'Sullivan accuses Mkhwanazi of making false and defamatory statements at the Madlanga commission and a parliamentary ad hoc committee.