Pretoria – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called on National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to lay a criminal charge of contempt of Parliament against forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan after his dramatic walkout from an ad hoc committee hearing.
The party argues that O’Sullivan’s exit from the committee investigating allegations involving Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was contemptuous and violated parliamentary rules governing witness testimony.
In a letter dated 26 February 2026, the EFF cited the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, stating that witnesses are required to answer committee questions under oath and could face penalties for refusing to do so.
The party urged the Speaker to act as the highest authority in Parliament of South Africa and report back on the progress of the complaint.
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EFF Letter to the Speaker of Parliament on Contemptuous Conduct of Paul O’Sullivan pic.twitter.com/ans9Y0pZCX
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 26, 2026
In response to the incident, the Parliament of South Africa issued a statement noting that witnesses appearing before parliamentary committees are expected to respect the authority and dignity of Parliament.
The Speaker expressed concern that the walkout could undermine Parliament’s constitutional oversight mandate and requested an urgent report from the Ad Hoc Committee chairperson detailing the circumstances of the witness’s departure.
“Parliamentary committees are constitutionally mandated to conduct oversight, gather evidence, and interrogate matters of public importance in a manner that upholds the dignity, authority and integrity of Parliament. Witnesses appearing before committees are expected to cooperate fully with proceedings and to respect the authority of Parliament,” the statement read.
STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON THE INCIDENT DURING THE MEETING OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS MADE BY KZN SAPS COMMISSIONER LIEUTENANT-GENERAL NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI
Parliament, Thursday, 26 February 2026 – The Speaker of the National…
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 26, 2026
“The Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2004, expressly prohibits any person from improperly interfering with or impeding the exercise by Parliament or its committees of their authority or functions. The Act further prohibits creating or taking part in any disturbance while a committee is meeting.
“The Speaker is concerned about the implications of this conduct for Parliament’s ability to discharge its constitutional obligation to exercise oversight and to thoroughly interrogate the serious allegations that are before the Ad Hoc Committee.”
After reviewing the report, the Speaker will decide on any possible action under parliamentary law and rules to protect the integrity of Parliament and its processes.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
