CAPE TOWN - The testimony of Forensic Investigator Paul O’Sullivan before Parliament’s SAPS Ad Hoc Committee faced more delays after he told MPs he would not answer questions on pre-1990 events.
O’Sullivan appeared before the Committee on Tuesday.
During the proceedings, O’Sullivan said for reasons of personal and family security, he will not engage in discussions concerning his family background, education, business interests in South Africa, or overseas prior to 1990.
“For personal security, over the last 15 years there has been 10 attempts on my life. I was shot three times. There have been multiple attempts on my life. Unfortunately, the criminal elements try to find personal things about you.
“I’m not going to provide any of that information. We can sit here all day, you can ask me a million questions, I will not provide that information. I’m entitled to protect my family and my personal interests,” O’Sullivan told Parliament.
LIVESTREAM | Paul O'Sullivan testifies before SAPS Ad Hoc Committee
But MPs declined to accept this condition and told O’Sullivan he would not prescribe the rules.
EFF’s Julius Malema said: “When he took an oath, he committed to answer all the questions and do so truthfully. I don’t think it is correct for the witness to write his own questions and answer them. What if there is an allegation that happened before 1990?
"We need to make it clear that he is going to answer every question presented before him here. He has taken an oath.”
MK Party’s Mandla Skosana said O’Sullivan’s statement was contradictory as he mentioned events that happened pre-1900 in his affidavit.
Echoing the same sentiments, ANC MP Xola Nqola, questioned how education background could be classified as a security hazard.
“We shouldn’t accept that there are matters before 1990 that should not be responded to,” said Nqola.