The Economic Freedom Fighters has laid a charge of contempt of Parliament against forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan following his abrupt departure from an ad hoc committee meeting probing alleged criminal infiltration within the police.
The party opened a case at Cape Town Central Police Station on Friday, a day after O’Sullivan walked out of proceedings, citing the need to catch a flight.
The committee had been questioning him as part of its investigation when he exited mid-session, drawing criticism from several members who viewed the move as defiance of parliamentary authority.
EFF deputy secretary-general Leigh-Ann Mathys condemned O’Sullivan’s conduct, referring to a previous incident in which he allegedly threatened a witness during the inquiry and faced no repercussions.
Mathys accused Parliament of failing to act decisively, alleging that O’Sullivan had been shielded from accountability.
The committee is now awaiting legal guidance from Parliament’s advisers on the next steps, including whether stronger measures, such as a summons or subpoena, may be pursued.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza said a decision on possible action would be taken after reviewing a report from committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane.
Proceedings are expected to continue once Parliament determines the appropriate course of action, with tensions around the inquiry showing little sign of easing.