Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has condemned KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for making serious allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya.
O’Sullivan told Newzroom Afrika that Mkhwanazi had no authority to accuse government officials of criminal conduct publicly.
He claimed the commissioner crossed a line by attacking the Police Ministry, the judiciary, and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“The reality is that he overstepped his mark,” O’Sullivan said.
“It’s not the job of a provincial commissioner to accuse the government or judiciary of criminality. That is exactly what he did today, and I want to see him fall, the sooner the better.”
Calls for Suspension and Judicial Inquiry
According to IOL, O’Sullivan revealed that he had written to the Police Minister calling for an urgent judicial commission of inquiry into Mkhwanazi’s conduct.
He also called for the suspension of both Mkhwanazi and national commissioner General Fannie Masemola, saying:
“If Masemola authorised what Mkhwanazi did, they can both go down together.”
Criticism Over Task Force Uniform and Press Briefing
O’Sullivan also criticised Mkhwanazi for wearing a Special Task Force uniform during Sunday’s press briefing and appearing flanked by heavily armed masked officers.
“He is not a task force member. Why was he wearing their uniform? Why was he surrounded by task force members carrying R5 rifles and wearing masks? Who is he trying to intimidate the government, the police?” O’Sullivan asked.
He warned that the scene looked “dangerously suspicious” and resembled the actions of someone threatening a coup.
Mkhwanazi Defends His Actions, Plans to Lay Charges
During Sunday’s briefing, Mkhwanazi said he was ready to die for the police badge.
He accused Minister Mchunu of interfering in policing matters, including disbanding the political killings task team without consulting national police leadership.
Mkhwanazi also claimed cellphone analysis linked a ministerial associate to the criminal underworld.
He announced plans to open a criminal case against Mchunu.
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