Threat texts & fake titles: MK Party goes after De Haas and O’Sullivan

Mary De Haas

Pretoria – The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party says it will open two criminal cases against human rights activist and violence monitor Mary de Haas and private forensic consultant Paul O’Sullivan.

The party accuses both of alleged misconduct during the recent Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee inquiry into corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.

De Haas faced scrutiny last week after her academic credentials were questioned.

Although she testified as a social anthropologist and violence monitor, the University of KwaZulu-Natal distanced itself from her, saying she is neither an employee nor a professor.

“For clarity, De Haas is not an employee of the university and is not a professor at UKZN,” it said in a statement.

“She retired from the then University of Natal in 2002, where she served as a senior lecturer and programme director in social anthropology.”

The university added: “While she has collaborated with members of the Navi Pillay Research Group, she also conducts independent research which is entirely separate from the university, and this includes work on violent crime and policing.”

EFF deputy secretary-general Leigh-Ann Mathys also highlighted that De Haas does not hold a doctorate, which De Haas later confirmed, saying she only has a Master’s degree and that the “doctorate” often associated with her is honorary.

According to The Citizen, MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party will open a case at Cape Town Central SAPS, accusing De Haas of misrepresenting her academic qualifications before Parliament — a move they argue violates the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act.

“The first case relates to Ms Mary de Haas, who misrepresented her academic credentials before Parliament by claiming to possess an earned doctoral qualification, which she does not. Ms De Haas has since admitted that her highest completed qualification is a Master’s degree, and that the ‘doctorate’ she referred to is merely honorary,” the report quoted Ndhlela as saying.

“This deliberate misrepresentation, intended to bolster her authority during her presentation, constitutes a violation of section 17(2)(e) of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act. The MK Party will request Saps to register a criminal docket and secure all pertinent records, including transcripts, video footage, and academic documentation.”

A second case will target O’Sullivan, after a WhatsApp message he allegedly sent to witness Cedric Nkabinde was read into the parliamentary record.

The message reportedly threatened Nkabinde during his testimony, prompting concerns of witness intimidation.

The MK party says the conduct may contravene the Constitution, the Powers and Privileges Act, and the Intimidation Act.

Nkabinde also told the committee that O’Sullivan exerted unlawful influence over the police, Ipid, the NPA and the broader justice cluster.

Ndhlela said Parliament must remain a space of accountability and not allow individuals to mislead proceedings or intimidate witnesses.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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