By Everson Luhanga
- Brown Mogotsi will testify today and tomorrow in response to serious claims linking him to secret police leaks and underworld connections.
- His name came up in WhatsApp chats and documents suggesting he helped fund African National Congress events and interfere in police operations.
South Africa’s biggest anti-corruption inquiry has entered its most important stage, and businessman Brown Mogotsi is first in the hot seat.
The second phase of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System began on Tuesday, 18 November. It follows two months of shocking testimony from 27 witnesses, and now the accused get their chance to respond.
Mogotsi is one of them. He stands accused of being the middleman between former police minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. He is also said to have leaked classified police files and arranged illegal payments for access and favours.
The commission has seen WhatsApp messages where Mogotsi was paid more than R100,000 by Matlala. One message shows him arranging a meeting between Matlala and a senior officer.
Mogotsi also faces a police investigation. Two weeks ago, his car was sprayed with bullets in Vosloorus. He escaped unharmed. Police are now checking if the hit was real or staged.
In October, officers raided his business in Seweding, Mahikeng, and took documents linked to the inquiry. He has denied wrongdoing through his lawyers and agreed to testify.
Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga has made it clear that this stage is about testing the claims, not just listing them.
For Mogotsi, the next two days could be life-changing. What he says under oath may either clear his name or send him further into trouble.
Pictured above: Brown Mogotsi.
Image source: File
