Sarah-Jane Trent Wants Parliament to Scrap Her Ad Hoc Committee Testimony, Says She Was Traumatised
- Sarah-Jane Trent's lawyers have written to Parliament regarding her testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee on 5 March 2026
- The former associate of Paul O'Sullivan broke down in tears numerous times as she gave testimony and answered questions
- Ad Hoc Committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, responded to Trent's legal team's requests regarding her testimony
Source: Twitter
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
WESTERN CAPE – Sarah-Jane Trent wants Parliament to declare her testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee invalid.
Trent, a former associate of Paul O’Sullivan, testified before the Committee on 5 March 2026. Her testimony focused on responding to allegations that she and O’Sullivan captured the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), but it was also remembered for times she broke down in tears.
Trent’s testimony had to be paused several times as she became emotional while giving evidence, saying that she had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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Source: Twitter
Trent wants her testimony scrapped
During an Ad Hoc Committee meeting on 31 March 2026, Parliament’s Legal Advisor, Andile Tetyana, confirmed that Trent’s legal team wrote a letter, requesting that her oral testimony be struck from the record. They also want any transcripts to be declared Pro non scripto (not written).
In the letter, Trent claimed that, having been diagnosed with PTSD in 2017, she suffered secondary trauma during her appearance before the Committee, which left her unable to concentrate.
Trent also stated that she could not understand the questions posed by Members of Parliament and the evidence leaders, which prevented her from answering them appropriately.
Ad Hoc Committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, responded to the request, noting that Trent was asked numerous times whether she could proceed, and she always said she could.
South Africans react to Trent's request
Social media users weighed in on Trent’s request, sharing amused reactions to it.
Deputy Parent said:
“I just hope someone, somewhere, is busy writing a book because my grandkids won't believe me.”
Pauline Thomson stated:
“Too late. The horse has bolted.”
Tsietsi Toolo added:
“The issue is not Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's the situationship with Robert McBride.”
Mthandazo Mkhulise asked:
“How much was she offered to retract, and by whom?”
Lesetja Wa MoAfrika Joas noted:
“She was asked many times by Skosana if she could testify under that condition. She agreed to continue.”
Seja Marco stated:
“She did make an oath, right? Does she know it's a criminal offence to lie under oath?”
Vusi Shongwe grills Trent over Duduzile Sabudla Zuma
Briefly News reported that the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party's Vusi Shongwe questioned Sarah-Jane Trent about what he deemed to be unfairness.
The MK Party Member of Parliament noted the legal inconsistencies between the Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Andile Ramaphosa cases.
Social media users weighed in on Trent's defence of her actions and Shongwe's questions, sharing mixed reactions.
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Source: Briefly News
