uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party has filed criminal complaints against Mary de Haas for ”lying” about her academic qualifications, and another case against forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, for allegedly sending a threatening message to the chief of staff of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

The complaints, lodged on Thursday at the Cape Town Police Station, involve social anthropologist De Haas, who is accused of misrepresenting her academic qualifications, and O’Sullivan, who allegedly sent a threatening message to the chief of staff of suspended police minister, Cedrick Nkabinde.

MK Party parliamentarian Des van Rooyen said the case against De Haas arises from her recent testimony before the committee.

The committee was established following allegations made in July by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi regarding political interference, shielding of criminal networks, and judicial capture.

“When she appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee, she indicated that she has an earned doctorate,” Van Rooyen said. 

“It was only after questioning by committee members that she conceded it was an honorary doctorate. Academically, it is not acceptable to use an honorary doctorate as a title. She is aware that her highest qualification is a master’s degree.”

Van Rooyen said De Haas’s misrepresentation called into question the integrity of the committee platform.

De Haas’s qualifications were scrutinised after her testimony last week. 

She appeared at the committee following the testimony of Nkabinde, who cited De Haas’s complaints as among the reasons for disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

During her testimony, De Haas described her experience as a social anthropologist and violence monitor in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The University of KwaZulu-Natal later distanced itself, saying she is neither an employee nor a professor. 

EFF deputy secretary general Leigh-Ann Mathys noted that De Haas holds only an honorary doctorate from Rhodes University.

When questioned directly about her qualifications, De Haas said, “People call me that. I’m not a professor; I did not get an official professorship because I haven’t finished the PhD that would have gotten me one.”

The second complaint relates to O’Sullivan, who allegedly sent a threatening message to Mchunu’s chief of staff. 

Van Rooyen said the message was shared during the Ad Hoc Committee hearings and amounted to witness intimidation.

“Paul O’Sullivan’s message was clear in threatening Mr Nkabinde. We cannot allow Parliamentary inquiry processes to be undermined by threats or intimidation of witnesses. This is constitutionally wrong and disturbing,” Van Rooyen said.

The criminal complaint against O’Sullivan includes allegations that he intimidated other committee members.

Nkabinde reportedly received the threatening message while testifying, which allegedly 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.”

During proceedings, Nkabinde also alleged that O’Sullivan exerted unlawful influence over the police, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the broader justice cluster, and that senior officials allowed him to do so.

Van Rooyen said the two cases were lodged separately and called on the police to investigate. 

“We are calling on SAPS to investigate these two cases,” he said.

IOL Politics

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