O’Sullivan allegedly impersonated an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) investigator. The party has also called on the authority to determine whether these charges should be reinstated, particularly following testimony before parliament’s ad hoc committee that points to serious allegations of misconduct.

The matter must be tested before a court of law, said ActionSA MP Dereleen James. Allowing such a serious matter to go unresolved for nearly a decade is “entirely indefensible” and undermines confidence in SA’s criminal justice system, particularly as the widespread infiltration of these institutions continues to be exposed through both the Madlanga commission and the ad hoc committee.

“While both the commission and the committee’s respective probes continue, ActionSA believes we have barely scratched the surface of the criminality and undue influence that has infested nearly every aspect of our criminal justice system,” she said.

“Based on what has already emerged, our institutions appear to have been hijacked by individuals more invested in advancing criminal interests or personal agendas than in protecting South Africans from crime.”

Restoring integrity within the justice system requires decisive action against those implicated in wrongdoing, said James. “The reality is that the only antidote to this crisis will be the fight of good law enforcement officials to protect our institutions. More importantly, to rid the system of those who have betrayed their responsibilities by pursuing every implicated individual and ensuring they face the full consequences of the law.”

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised over attorney and certified fraud examiner Sarah-Jane Trent’s recent testimony before the committee, which allegedly revealed connections between private actors and senior officials linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

'Our institutions appear to have been hijacked by individuals more invested in advancing criminal interests or personal agendas than in protecting South Africans from crime'

Trent raised questions before the committee, probing allegations made by KZN police commissioner Lt. Genl. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about the role of private actors embedded within the criminal justice processes.

This followed Trent’s former boss, O’Sullivan, concluding his evidence after recently walking out of proceedings. Trent’s testimony also shed light on his relationship with Ramaphosa’s adviser Bejani Chauke.

MP Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said they believed the allegations required scrutiny. “They cannot ignore the disturbing pattern that has emerged when the activities of Trent and O’Sullivan are examined,” Ndhlela said.

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