‘Paul O’Sullivan was a double agent’

Paul O’Sullivan, a forensic examiner known for his work in anti-corruption investigations, has once again found himself at the center of controversy following new allegations that he operated as a double agent for foreign intelligence agencies. These claims, made by Major-General Prince Mokotedi, former head of the Gauteng Hawks within the South African Police Service (SAPS), surfaced in a recent episode of the investigative podcast Unpopular Opinion, hosted by veteran journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika. The episode, set to air on Saturday, 22 August, includes detailed accounts from Mokotedi, who asserts that he and other officials in the intelligence community confirmed in 2017 that O’Sullivan was engaged in espionage. O’Sullivan has categorically rejected these accusations, calling them “fictional” and accusing Mokotedi of being a criminal. He maintains that his involvement with the British Army and military intelligence was limited to counterterrorism efforts, particularly targeting Irish-related threats. During a parliamentary ad hoc committee session earlier this year, O’Sullivan testified that he had arrived in South Africa as a tourist and denied any role as a spy. However, Mokotedi claims that O’Sullivan approached him directly in July 2016, offering to renounce his South African citizenship and assist the police in exchange for having criminal charges against him dropped. The alleged meeting took place at SAPS provincial offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, with Mokotedi accompanied by two senior officers, Colonel Bongani Gininda and Commissioner Mpho Mmutle. According to Mokotedi, O’Sullivan's purported offer was part of a broader strategy to gain access to South Africa’s law enforcement and security networks. Mokotedi further stated that O’Sullivan’s true mission was to identify sleeper cells associated with radical Islamic groups, using his anti-corruption activism as a cover. Legal proceedings against O’Sullivan began in early 2017, with multiple cases filed under charges including extortion, fraud, intimidation, and possession of multiple passports. Among these, a case involving the unauthorized possession of three passports led to appearances in court on 26 and 27 January 2017. Additional charges, such as fraud linked to a pilot license, extortion, espionage, and money laundering, were either under investigation or transferred to the National Prosecuting Authority. Mokotedi claimed that their formal meeting occurred in late September 2017, during a gathering in Cape Town that included Major General Zamile Kulele, then head of Crime Intelligence in Gauteng, along with Major General Mzwandile Tiyo and agents from the State Security Agency (SSA). Despite these claims, O’Sullivan insists that all legal actions against him were fabricated, asserting that he was consistently found not guilty or that cases were dismissed outright. In response to Mokotedi’s allegations, O’Sullivan has accused him of being a political ally of former President Jacob Zuma, suggesting that Mokotedi’s motives stem from personal vendetta rather than genuine concern for national security. He has described Mokotedi as a “delusional” figure who should be incarcerated, emphasizing that Mokotedi’s continued public denouncements are aimed at influencing Zuma supporters. As the situation unfolds, both parties remain entrenched in their positions, with O’Sullivan preparing to challenge the credibility of Mokotedi’s claims in ongoing legal and public discourse. The outcome of these developments could have significant implications for the integrity of South Africa’s intelligence and law enforcement sectors.