By Marcus Moloko
Forensic fraud examiner Paul O’Sullivan’s former assistant, Sarah-Jane Trent’s testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee plunged the police corruption probe into controversy.
Trent, once closely linked to former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride and O’Sullivan, admitted under questioning to an intimate relationship with McBride, while resisting scrutiny of her private communications on her cell phone.
Her refusal to release phone records and emotional breakdown during proceedings intensified suspicions about her role in accessing sensitive IPID data.
MP’s pressed her on derogatory remarks and explicit exchanges with McBride, highlighting concerns that personal ties may have compromised professional boundaries.
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Trent also faces lingering allegations of impersonating an IPID official in 2017, an incident she described as an “abduction” by police.
Trent alleged she was abducted by Brigadier Clifford Kgorane, Colonel Ishmail Daarwood, Brigadier Paras Mncube, and Jan Mthembu Mabula.
While Trent claimed it was an abduction, Advocate Bongiwe Mkhize probed why she referred to the incident as an abduction if there was an arrest warrant issued for her.
Trent maintained it was not a proper arrest.
Parliament rejects attorney interference
With Parliament rejecting her legal team’s attempts to block testimony, Trent’s credibility hung on the line as the committee weighed whether her actions amounted to infiltration of the justice system.
The hearing was marked by Jane’s emotional state, with MPs pressing Trent on derogatory remarks she allegedly made about McBride and on explicit private communications.
uMkhonto weSizwe Party MP Vusi Shongwe posed a jarring question about whether there was an intimate relationship between Trent and Mc Bride.
“Why did Robert McBride hate that you called him a horse, and you were angry when he said, ‘Do you wanna bang?'”
Shongwe followed up the question with:
“Have you ever slept with Mr. McBride?” Trent confirmed the pair had been intimate,
This was followed up by MP’s questioning on why Trent would organise a polygraph test on matters relating to IPID.
Trent said there were allegations of a Braai where there were claims to overthrow the government, implicating O’Sullivan. While that was circulating in the news, Trent said O’Sullivan instructed a polygraph test to be done. Questions were sent to McBride prior, Trent confirmed.
The commission continues to ascertain the extent of information that Trent, McBride, and O’Sullivan were privy to and if it was all above board.
