Mkhwanazi has filed a R5 million lawsuit for defamation of character from investigator Paul O’Sullivan.
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the Police Commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, is taking forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan to court over allegations he describes as deeply damaging to his reputation.
The lawsuit centres on a series of public statements in which O’Sullivan allegedly made highly inflammatory claims about the top cop. The legal papers claim these statements have caused immense harm to Mkhwanazi’s professional standing and character.
Mkhwanazi Files A R5 Million Lawsuit For Defamation From Investigator
The multi-million Rand defamation claim adds a layer of personal animosity to the high-stakes environment of the ongoing Madlanga Commission in Pretoria. Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi is the first key witness to take the stand at this inquiry, which was established to probe allegations of deep-rooted corruption and criminality within the upper echelons of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
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The Commissioner’s own testimony is expected to make waves, as he has previously levied serious accusations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya. It is against this tense backdrop that his legal feud with O’Sullivan is playing out.
Paul O’Sullivan Stands By His Claims
Paul O’Sullivan, known for his relentless pursuit of high-profile targets, has not shied away from the controversy. He is reported to have publicly labelled the Commissioner a “criminal” and has vocally campaigned for his immediate suspension from duty.
In response to the lawsuit, O’Sullivan has remained defiant. He stated,
“My investigations are based on evidence, and I stand by my statements. It is my duty to expose what I believe to be corruption, no matter how high it goes.”
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This sets the stage for a fierce courtroom battle that will pit the word of a seasoned investigator against the reputation of a serving police general.
The Commissioner’s legal team, however, paints a different picture. They argue that the investigator’s comments were not made in good faith. A representative for Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi said, “These are baseless and malicious allegations designed solely to tarnish our client’s name and undermine his crucial work, including his ongoing testimony before the Commission.”