Parliament Passes Data Breach Complaint to Speaker as Witness Threatens Legal Action

PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE REFERS DATA LEAK COMPLAINT TO SPEAKER

The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has declined to act directly on a witness complaint about leaked personal data, passing the matter instead to Parliament’s Speaker for resolution.

Ms Sarah-Jane Trent, who testified before the committee in March on corruption and criminal infiltration allegations within the police service and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), submitted a letter threatening legal action. She contends that her personal and medical information was circulated on social media and a website without authorization, and states the disclosure constitutes potential criminal liability. Committee secretary Mr Vhonani Ramaano confirmed that Ms Trent indicated in her correspondence an intention to lay criminal charges related to what she describes as unlawful and improper disclosure of her details.

The letter, addressed to Speaker Ms Thoko Didiza, calls on Parliament to investigate committee members and officials over the alleged leak. Committee Chairperson Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane reported that all committee members agreed to note the letter and refer the matter to the Speaker to determine the appropriate course of action. That decision was reached during a committee session in which Mr Ramaano read the letter aloud.

Members were unconvinced by the substance of Ms Trent’s claims. Ms Khusela Sangoni stated she conducted online searches but found no evidence of leaked information, characterizing Ms Trent as a private citizen attempting to direct Parliament’s operations. “We have no idea what Ms Sarah-Jane Trent is talking about,” Sangoni said. “I even tried to do a Google search to see what information had been leaked and where but could not find anything.”

Mr Damien Klopper emphasized that committee proceedings are publicly available through Parliament’s virtual platforms, suggesting nothing is concealed from public view. “I do not think it’s anybody’s prerogative to dictate to this committee on how it should operate,” he stated. Mr David Skosana characterized the witness’s approach as an exercise of privilege. Committee member Ms Leigh-Ann Mathys used sharper language, describing what she called “the audacity of whiteness on full display again.”

By contrast, the committee itself offered no formal finding on whether a leak occurred, leaving that determination entirely with the Speaker.

Ms Trent’s March appearance followed testimony from her former employer, Mr Paul O’Sullivan, during the same investigative proceedings. Her questioning covered allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration across police and IPID structures.

The committee confirmed that its deliberations maintain transparency throughout the hearing process. It is scheduled to continue work on its draft report, with further deliberations planned, though how the Speaker will handle Ms Trent’s complaint remains an open question.