EFF statement on the misconduct of Paul O’Sullivan during an interview with the SABC’s Sakina Kamwendo

31 October 2022

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns with contempt the arrogant misconduct of the Paul O'Sullivan during his interview with the SABC's Sakina Kamwendo on the 31st of October 2022. During the interview, the questionable O'Sullivan whose reported to be part of the Phala Phala crimes cover-up, used bullying and intimidatory language and racist attitude to say to Sakina Kamwendo "Who do you think you are talking to?".

The bullying and intimidatory approach of O'Sullivan is part of his overall entitlement and racist arrogant attitude that makes him believe he is above the law, above accountability and above Law enforcement institutions. For the longest time, Paul O'Sullivan has been acting as if he is above the law and everyone should bow down to him.

His arrogance became worse since Cyril Ramaphosa's tragic ascension to the office of President of the Republic since O'Sullivan and Ramaphosa are personal friends. O'Sullivan's attempts to shift the blame and cover up the many crimes committed in Phala Phala just reveal the fact and reality that he's not a credible person of anti-corruption, law and order, but a factional cowboy who uses access to State resources to abuse those he deem as his opponents or opponents of his handlers.

We as the EFF, commend the principled, disciplined and measured manner in which Sakina Kamwendo asked him questions about Phala Phala Farm, despite the failing attempts of a Phala Phala Cover Up. We are however concemed that the SABC has not come out in Defence of Sakina Kamwendo and has not said anything to condemn the bullying tactics of a Cowboy who thinks he is above the law and accountability. We are additionally concerned that the self-appointed defenders of media freedom in South Africa, the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) has not said anything about attempts to intimidate a Journalist, a credible Broadcaster who was asking legitimate questions to a bully.

We therefore demand that the Public Broadcaster must come out in defence of Sakina Kamwendo and must condemn the misbehaviour and misconduct of O'Sullivan. The SABC's failure to protect its employees from bullies will entail that such conduct is permissible and can be done to all the Broadcasters by rascals who have no respect for media freedom and individual accountability. We commend Sakina Kamwendo for her composure and refusal to bow down to a bully who thought that she will recoil when he said' "Who do you think you're talking to?". We need Journalists and Broadcasters of such calibre to protect media freedom and its important role of holding everyone accountable.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 31 October 2022