Some political parties grandstanding at Ad Hoc Committee: Lawson Naidoo

The Executive Director for Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) Lawson Naidoo says Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system is not functioning as it should, because of political interests.  

Naidoo says he is concerned that the committee is acting in a partisan manner.  

He was responding to questions about the position the committee would find itself in, if private investigator, Paul O’Sullivan continues to refuse to appear in-person before it. 

Naidoo says in light of what’s been said about O’Sullivan, it’s vital that he appears and explain the role he played within the criminal justice system.  

Meanwhile O’Sullivan has indicated that should he testify, he won’t engage with members of the EFF, ActionSA and MKP.  

Naidoo has accused some parties of political grandstanding. 

“We’re seeing very different lines of questioning from the different political parties, so clearly, they have vested political interests in pursuing some witnesses and not others. This is very much grandstanding by members of the committee, and the O’Sullivan case highlights that to a certain extent, and we saw that again with the recent testimony of Robert McBride as well as with other witnesses.”  

WATCH | As the private investigator Paul O’Sullivan is expected to testify before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee in the coming days, Committee Chair Molapi Soviet Lekganyane has raised concerns that O’Sullivan has indicated he will not respond to questions from certain MPs. pic.twitter.com/AaEo4s0PGh

— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 25, 2026

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