Paul O’Sullivan tells Madlanga Commission organised-crime capture of SAPS is ‘nothing new’

Paul O’Sullivan told the Madlanga Commission that recent publicity about organised crime infiltrating the South African Police Service (SAPS) did not reveal new information, saying the problem had existed for years.

What O’Sullivan told the commission

Testifying on Monday, O’Sullivan said the claims raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi only confirmed a crisis he had been investigating for more than a decade. He said criminal networks had “successfully penetrate[d] the criminal justice system long before 6 July 2025.”

“Despite General Mkhwanazi’s press conference where he purported to blow the whistle on the infiltration of the criminal justice system by organised crime, Criminals have been able to successfully penetrate the criminal justice system long before 6 July 2025”

Past investigations and timeline

O’Sullivan said he first encountered evidence of deep-rooted infiltration while serving as acting police commissioner in 2011. He linked the problem to earlier periods in policing, including the tenure of former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi, whom he said he had helped expose.

Mkhwanazi’s briefing and the issues raised

On 6 July 2025, Mkhwanazi held a media briefing that exposed alleged corruption in the justice system and police ministry. Among the claims were the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and political interference, issues O’Sullivan said were consistent with what he had previously found.

Commission context

O’Sullivan’s testimony focused on links between organised crime and compromised law enforcement officials. His appearance was part of the Madlanga Commission’s ongoing examination of allegations of corruption. According to the source, O’Sullivan has concluded his testimony at the commission.

Key facts:

• O’Sullivan testified at the Madlanga Commission on Monday.
• He said organised crime had penetrated the criminal justice system before 6 July 2025.
• He first saw evidence of infiltration while acting as police commissioner in 2011.
• He referenced the tenure of former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi and said he had helped expose Selebi.
• Mkhwanazi held a media briefing on 6 July 2025 raising allegations including the disbandment of the PKTT and political interference.