Sarah-Jane Trent Testimony Before MPs Highlights Links To Ramaphosa Adviser In Corruption Probe

Attorney and certified fraud examiner Sarah-Jane Trent has told a parliamentary committee about interactions involving senior political figures during investigations linked to corruption allegations.

Trent appeared before the committee examining accusations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Her evidence followed that of her former employer, forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, whose testimony ended abruptly the previous week after he walked out of proceedings.

While earlier sessions focused largely on former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride, Trent’s appearance introduced details about contact involving presidential adviser Bejani Chauke.

The Ad Hoc Committee has previously heard claims that Trent and O’Sullivan obtained personal information unlawfully while pursuing matters related to former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane.

Sarah-Jane Trent Meeting With Andile Ramaphosa During Bosasa-Related Investigation

Under questioning from ANC MP Khusela Diko-Sangoni, Trent described how she first encountered Chauke through O’Sullivan’s organisation, Forensics for Justice.

She said O’Sullivan had sought to contact Andile Ramaphosa while preparing to open a case connected to allegations that had surfaced in affidavits.

“He wanted to speak to Andile Ramaphosa to see if he would want to clear his name or give his version of events because we were opening a case and there were allegations against him. That is how I met Dr Chauke,” she said.

The development came after reports that Bosasa had paid R2 million to the president’s son.

MK Party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo asked Trent about the intended case linked to Bosasa. “In one of affidavits, there was an allegation against Andile Ramaphosa and Paul wanted to try to get in touch with Andile Ramaphosa to get his side version.

“Bejani came to meet us and Andile Ramaphosa came. We met him. That is how I met him,” she said.

Trent said she could not say whether Chauke and Andile Ramaphosa had a personal relationship.

The investigation later focused on former ANC MP Vincent Smith, who was sentenced to prison earlier this week.

MPs Challenge Reason For Contacting President’s Son

Committee members questioned why O’Sullivan and Trent approached Andile Ramaphosa despite him not being the complainant in the matter.

“The dots are unconnected,” said Nomvalo.

MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe suggested the approach suggested an attempt to defend Ramaphosa. “You went to clear his name immediately. Are you getting anything from Ramaphosa?” asked Shongwe.

Her response was: “No”.

EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys also raised questions about Trent’s later appointment as chief executive of Chauke’s foundation.

Mathys argued that O’Sullivan appeared to pursue cases involving prominent individuals suspected of wrongdoing. “Andile’s name came up. That is how you contacted Andile Ramaphosa. Why would you randomly go and say I am going to open a case against Vincent Smith,” she said.

“The target is high-profile people and you go and look who is involved in this, and say let’s go and see because soon thereafter, you get a job as CEO,” she said.

Trent rejected the suggestion.

“There was nothing dodgy there,” she said.

Relationship With Bejani Chauke And Job At His Foundation

Trent told the committee that her move to Chauke’s foundation did not happen immediately after she opened the case involving Vincent Smith. She said she left O’Sullivan’s company in 2022 before later taking the position.

Asked about the nature of her relationship with Chauke, Trent said their interaction had been limited.

“We had tea at some point. I would not say friends but I worked for his foundation,” she said.

She said the two had remained in contact after her departure from O’Sullivan’s organisation. “We messaged, and I said oh yes, I resigned from Paul O’Sullivan. A couple of months later, he sent a message to say listen I am looking for someone to run my foundation.”

Trent also told MPs that O’Sullivan and Chauke were not close associates.

Dispute Over Claims Of Police Commissioner Vetting

The hearing also touched on O’Sullivan’s earlier statement that Chauke had asked him to carry out lifestyle checks on individuals considered for the national police commissioner role, currently held by Fannie Masemola.

O’Sullivan said he had been given eight names, including Masemola and Mkhwanazi, and that several candidates were unsuitable for the job because of their lifestyles.

Chauke rejected the claim in February, saying he never requested O’Sullivan to perform such checks.

According to Chauke, people frequently approached him with suggestions when President Cyril Ramaphosa was considering appointments, but those efforts did not influence the outcome.

He confirmed that O’Sullivan had contacted him but said the initiative did not originate from his office.

“Only two candidates were, according to him, fit for the position. One of those he proposed was not even on the shortlist,” said Chauke, adding: “I did not solicit Mr O’Sullivan’s involvement.”

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When MPs asked Trent about the alleged vetting process, she said she had no knowledge of how the claim came about.

“I don’t think he asked Paul to vet the potential commissioner of police; however, I don’t have correspondence,” she said.

She added that she never asked O’Sullivan why he had made the statement. “I don’t know why he said that,” she said when responding to Mathys.

“I would say that things do get exaggerated a lot. Certainly, I just sometimes don’t understand why he would say what he says. It is just, there is no reason. I don’t know. It makes everything very difficult. You don’t know what you look at or investigating.”