PI gets bail along with strict conditions
PRIVATE forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has been released on R10 000 bail.
O’Sullivan‚ who is caught in a bitter feud between the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) and acting national police commissioner‚ Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane‚ was ordered to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
He, along with his assistant, SarahJane Trent‚ have been charged with impersonating an Ipid officer in a corruption probe by the organisation into Phahlane.
O’Sullivan was arrested on Monday‚ but ordered to be released after police defied a court order which stated he had to be given 48-hours notice of any impending arrest which he may face.
Directorate head‚ Robert McBride‚ on Wednesday told the parliamentary portfolio committee on police‚ that he viewed O’Sullivan’s arrest as interference in their investigation into Phahlane.
Phahlane stands accused of receiving kickbacks for awarding chemical supply companies tenders, while he was head of the police forensic science laboratories.
Phahlane took the directorate to court last week in a bid to have O’Sullivan stopped from providing assistance to the organisation in its investigation of him [Phahlane].
O’Sullivan’s bail conditions include that he may not interfere with any state witness‚ he may not go near Phahlane’s home, he must notify the investigating officers if he plans to leave South Africa and may not reveal to anyone who the state witnesses are.
O’Sullivan‚ speaking to Times Media by telephone‚ said the court case was a continuation of abuse of power “by those trying to keep corrupt people in their chairs”. He is to appear again in court on May 19. — TMG