Sarah-Jane Trent Files Police Complaint Against Ad Hoc Committee Over Leaked Personal Information

• Sarah-Jane Trent has accused members of the Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee of leaking her personal information
• Trent, who was a close associate of Paul O'Sullivan, appeared before the Committee in March 2026
• South Africans weighed in on Trent's complaints and the demands that she made, sharing varied reactions to it

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 has lodged a police complaint against members of Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee, accusing them of unlawfully disclosing her personal and medical details.

Trent, a former close associate of Paul O'Sullivan, wrote a strongly worded letter to the committee alleging that personal and medical information contained in her sworn statement was circulated on social media and a website without her knowledge or agreement.

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Trent 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 demands devices and records be produced

In the letter, Trent argued that the disclosure may constitute a criminal offence and stated her intention to pursue legal charges.

She has called on Parliament to refer the matter to the South African Police Service for a formal criminal investigation, and demanded that committee members and Parliamentary officials produce all devices, emails and messaging records. She also wanted every copy of her affidavit surrendered in its unaltered form.

The Ad Hoc Committee dismissed Trent's accusations outright and requested that the Speaker decide on the best way forward regarding the matter.

South Africans weigh in on Trent's claims

@AntonSaysRU wrote:

"The double standards run very deep, demanding accountability from all but their own. It's time they hand over devices, emails and messaging records. Let's see who orchestrated this leak."

Suzette Mapula Phoka commented:

"They should have found her guilty. Now she's working against them."

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Lee Green suggested:

"Paul O'Sullivan 'doxed' her."

@ZAAfrikaner said:

"She should just pack her stuff and flee the country."

Trent wanted her testimony scrapped

Briefly News reported that Sarah-Jane Trent's lawyers wrote to Parliament regarding her testimony before the Ad Hoc Committee.

Trent’s testimony had to be paused several times as she became emotional while giving evidence

Her legal team asked that her testimony be declared invalid, saying that she had been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Source: Briefly News