Cedrick Nkabinde Receives Threatening SMS From Paul O’Sullivan “Get Ready, You Lying Crook”

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s Chief of Staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, received a threatening SMS from private investigator Paul O’Sullivan while testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Wednesday.

The message, sent as he was eating, immediately raised concerns among MPs about intimidation of witnesses and committee members.

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Nkabinde informed the committee that the SMS read, “Get ready, you lying crook. I am going to make sure you spend some years in prison. You were bribed by Mkhwanazi and Mabula. Now you will pay for your crimes, guaranteed.”

The warning surfaced shortly after Nkabinde levelled serious allegations against O’Sullivan, claiming he wielded unlawful influence over SAPS, IPID, the NPA and the broader justice cluster, with senior officials allegedly allowing this to occur.

Chairperson Molapi Lekganyane confirmed that the message had been brought to the committee’s attention and urged caution. He said Parliament’s Legal Services Department would work with Nkabinde to ensure that his rights were fully protected.

MPs Demand Action Against Paul O’Sullivan Over Cedrick Nkabinde “Intimidation”

MKP MP Sibonelo Nomvalo called for O’Sullivan to be summoned urgently, saying, “We’ve heard enough about this man intimidating people running the show alone, putting his hands where it doesn’t qualify to put hands. He must come here as a matter of urgency.”

ANC MP Xola Nqola stressed that protecting witnesses was central to the committee’s work, emphasising that intimidation would not be tolerated. He said Parliament would await legal guidance on available options to address the matter decisively.

EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys reminded the committee that O’Sullivan had sent similar messages to MPs in 2018 during a police portfolio committee session. She said, “We can’t be threatened in front of the whole nation, actually internationally, by this Paul O’Sullivan. It can’t happen.”

PA MP Ashley Sauls urged that the threatening message be formally documented. “The whole country will be watching. What will we as Parliament do… to save this country and put South Africans first? It’s now,” he said.

Calls for Criminal Charges and Stronger Parliamentary Protection

MKP MP David Skosana insisted that the police should immediately become involved. “We’ll open a case against him because we can’t have a thug intimidating parliamentarians and witnesses here. We should not be a banana republic or a mafia state,” he said.

MKP MP Vusi Shongwe encouraged Nkabinde to record all details, including the sender’s number, and warned that South Africans would no longer accept such conduct. “This is our house and you are my guest. We will deal with this person,” he said.

Chairperson Lekganyane concluded that the matter would be escalated to Parliament’s legal team to ensure that Nkabinde’s rights are safeguarded. He added that the legal experts present would determine the appropriate steps to be taken in line with the law.

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