O'Sullivan: Hawks circle

Forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan has been released on R20000 bail and prohibited from leaving the country.

He appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court, on the East Rand, shortly after noon yesterday on charges relating to his use of an Irish passport while holding a South African passport as a citizen.

He allegedly entered South Africa in December using an Irish passport and left the country using the same passport in February.

O'Sullivan's passports have been confiscated and he is not allowed to apply for another, according to court papers. The case was postponed to May 6.

Representatives of the Hawks and the prosecution, and O'Sullivan's lawyers, reportedly met ahead of the bail application.

O'Sullivan was arrested on Friday at OR Tambo International Airportfor allegedly violating immigration laws.

He was travelling to the UK to take his daughters back to their school in London and was expected to return on Thursday, his lawyers said.

Home Affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete earlier commented that "[O'Sullivan] has multiple passports and has allegedly been using certain ones to enter the country, while leaving South Africa on others."

Gauteng Hawks head Major-General Prince Mokotedi confirmed to the Sunday Times that other criminal charges against O'Sullivan were being investigated.

The investigator, known for his involvement in the case against Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir, and the case against former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi, was reportedly moved from Pretoria Central police station to the Villieria police station at the weekend after he raised concerns about his safety.

TMG Digital