By Simon Nare
Parliamentarians in the ad hoc committee probing allegations of corruption and political interference in the justice system have expressed delight at the prospect of grilling forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan when he appears before the committee in person on Tuesday, but registered concerns that he plans to choose from whom he takes questions from, as well as demanding the recusal of that evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse.
The MPs congratulated their chairman, Soviet Lekganyane, for having secured the appearance of O’Sullivan, in person, who had insisted not to appear in person, citing safety concerns.
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The committee members hailed the success of securing O’Sullivan’s appearance as a victory for the legislative house, while others slated National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza for trying to shield him.
Arendse confirmed to the committee earlier reports by the SABC that O’Sullivan will be appearing in person on Tuesday and Wednesday for the two days that have been set scheduled.
MPs from opposition parties, specifically the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters, excitedly welcomed the news that O’Sullivan will be appearing in person.
ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli said it was plausible that the committee had secured O’Sullivan’s appearance physically.
“As honourable members will know, this matter attracted a very wide coverage in the media and social media and resulted in a very large extent in a lot of exchanges in the public, including amongst ourselves as members of this committee.
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“And the fact that a solution has been found without subjecting parliament to what was potentially going to be a huge litigation because it as clear that if he doesn’t co-operate, we were going to subpoena him,” said Ntuli.
He added that as chairman of the committee, Lekganyane has saved the parliament from a drawn-out legal process to hold O’Sullivan to account.
MKP’s David Skosana said O’Sullivan has been behaving as untouchable and it is a good thing that he will be before the committee to answer to allegations that have been levelled against him.
EFF’s Julius Malema said he was happy that, through the pressure of the committee and members who had not benefited from any corrupt activities have secured his presence to account in person.
“You must be proud as members of this committee for having associated with criminality, and for being loyal to the oath of office you have taken as members of parliament. And shame on those who have tried to justify why people who have captured the justice system were refusing, ridiculing, and undermining this parliament.
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“That’s why Paul O’Sullivan has the guts to say some members will not ask him questions because he wants to be asked questions by his friends. I was supposed to have an interview at 702 tomorrow at 10.00 with Clement Manyathela, I have cancelled. I am coming there, and there is nothing cultural that is going to stop me from coming there,” vowed Malema.
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