O’Sullivan threatens legal challenge to Mkhwanazi’s Hawks appointment
Paul O’Sullivan has threatened legal action against Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s proposed appointment as Hawks head. Analysts say the dispute may be linked to their longstanding public feud, while O’Sullivan argues that Mkhwanazi does not meet the legal requirements for the post.
Paul O'Sullivan has threatened legal action against Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's appointment as the new head of the Hawks, the Special Operations Division of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The potential legal challenge may stem from O'Sullivan's allegations that Mkhwanazi has links to foreign intelligence, stemming from previous accusations made by Mkhwanazi in July 2025.
O'Sullivan, through his organisation Forensics for Justice, has warned that they will challenge the appointment unless the government suspends the process or opens it to public scrutiny. According to the source, O'Sullivan's opposition is driven by a personal vendetta and fear of losing investigative access, rather than a genuine concern for the public interest.
The dispute has escalated into a legal battle, with Mkhwanazi initially filing a R5-million defamation lawsuit against O'Sullivan and O'Sullivan countersuing for R10 million. O'Sullivan's claims have been met with skepticism, with political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu suggesting that his opposition arises from bitterness over the allegations against his professional standing.
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