Jonisayi Maromo The political controversy surrounding Cedrick Nkabinde's allegations of a scheme to remove former acting police commiss...
Jonisayi MaromoThe political controversy surrounding Cedrick Nkabinde's allegations of a scheme to remove former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane has intensified, as significant individuals and organizations mentioned in his testimony before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee — such as Paul O’Sullivan, AfriForum, and the Democratic Alliance — have all categorically denied any participation.
O’Sullivan referred to the accusations as part of a "larger conspiracy" and stated he would initiate a criminal investigation against Nkabinde for giving false testimony.
IOL stated on Thursday that Nkabinde, the chief of staff for suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, revealed details about the alleged conspiracy.to prevent Phahlane from being permanently appointed as the national commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Nkabinde disclosed a shocking statement on Wednesday during his testimony regarding forensic expert O’Sullivan and former head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Robert McBride, at the parliamentary inquiry examining claims of widespread police corruption raised by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Nkabinde stated that he was a member of the "Phahlane Task Team," which was working under guidance from McBride and O’Sullivan. He had a conflict with them while employed at IPID, where he worked from 2010 until he left after signing a settlement agreement in 2018.
"The initiative aimed to prevent General Phahlane from being named the permanent national commissioner," Nkabinde stated during the parliamentary investigation.
O’Sullivan calls allegations ‘lies’
In a sworn statement dated November 20 and reviewed byIOL, O’Sullivan dismisses Nkabinde’s testimony before Parliament as "unlawful and deliberately deceptive," maintaining that the alleged meeting at his residence was actually a year-end braai attended by his staff and selected guests.
There was no gathering, no scheme, just the falsehoods of Nkabinde, as part of a larger plot. There was also no reporter present. It was a year-end barbecue, and some of my employees and other guests had been invited. Nkabinde arrived on his own, as he hadn't been invited. We now understand that he came to eavesdrop, so he could create a narrative as part of the Phahlane / Ntlemeza / Mokotedi / Mabula / Mkhwanazi criminal organization.
O'Sullivan told IOL that Mkhwanazi appeared to be overseeing the syndicate's efforts in recruiting IPID officers to act against IPID, in support of Phahlane.
That's my reply; I am initiating a case against Nkabinde for lying to Parliament. It will be filed first thing tomorrow (Friday) and sent to Cape Town, so he can experience justice, which has been delayed for too long.
O’Sullivan's complete sworn declaration can be found here: A Sworn Statement Paul O’Sullivan 2025-11-20.pdf
AfriForum to lay charges
AfriForum's chief executive, Kallie Kriel, further stated that the civil rights group would file criminal charges against Nkabinde for "intentionally providing misleading testimony" during the parliamentary special committee session.
Kriel invited Nkabinde to undergo a polygraph examination, stating that AfriForum would bear the expenses.
"His statements are untrue and conflicting," Kriel remarked, highlighting that Phahlane had already been removed from his position by June 2017 — prior to the supposed meeting in 2018.
Kriel stated that he had never encountered Nkabinde or Robert McBride, and mentioned that he has never visited O’Sullivan’s residence, where the supposed conspiracy was allegedly discussed.
Stay updated with the latest news anytime, anywhere. Download the newest IOL App forAndroid and IOS now.
DA rejects allegations as untrue
MP from the Democratic Alliance, Glynnis Breytenbach, also rejected Nkabinde's statement as untrue, labeling him "a self-confessed liar" who "deliberately lied to the ad hoc committee during his appearance in Parliament."
Responding to IOL’squestions, Breytenbach stated that neither she nor her DA colleague in the parliamentary portfolio committee, Dianne Kohler Barnard, was aware of such a meeting.
"I was unaware of any such meeting, and have never met or been associated with Mr Nkabinde prior to his appearance before the committee," she stated.
Breytenbach stated that the DA's stance on the issue was evident: any political or non-state involvement in selecting police leadership was "unacceptable."
She mentioned that any choice regarding backing an independent investigation would need internal deliberation, but she and Kohler Barnard had no personal awareness of the meeting or the claimed conspiracy.
Reporter refutes online allegations
On the other hand, journalist Karyn Maughan has also become involved in the debate, following allegations from certain social media users that she was present at the meeting Nkabinde mentioned in his testimony.
Nkabinde did not mention Maughan in his testimony, yet her name was extensively shared across online platforms and social media in relation to the supposed meeting.
In response to IOL’squestions, Maughan denied the allegations, stating merely: “It is not true.”
What Nkabinde told Parliament
Nkabinde informed the parliamentary ad hoc committee earlier this week that he participated in what he referred to as a "task team" gathering held at O’Sullivan's private residence. As per Nkabinde, the meeting's supposed aim was to prevent Phahlane from being appointed as the permanent leader of the SAPS.
He stated that the meeting featured McBride, IPID official Mandlakayise Mahlangu, representatives from the Democratic Alliance, two people from AfriForum, and "a white female journalist." Nkabinde claimed that participants talked about methods to undermine Phahlane—such as media coverage and search efforts—so that the president would have no alternative but to dismiss him.
Nkabinde also stated that AfriForum members at the meeting assured him that funding was available to execute the mission, and he asserted that the accusations used to suspend Phahlane—such as a sound system discovered at his residence and the "blue lights" contract—were made up to reach that objective.
Political and institutional fallout
The growing conflict has brought new attention to enduring conflicts within South Africa's police and monitoring systems, where issues of political interference and organizational autonomy have frequently intersected.
Both O’Sullivan and AfriForum have promised to take legal steps against Nkabinde for reportedly providing false information to Parliament, while the DA has suggested holding internal talks to determine if an independent investigation is necessary.
Currently, Nkabinde's statement — along with the strong refutations it has generated — has increased examination of the connections among political leaders, private investigators, and civil society groups within the policing domain.
As the temporary committee keeps working, it is anticipated that Parliament will decide if additional evidence or witnesses are needed to confirm Nkabinde's statements.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News
COMMENTS