A key witness in the Madlanga Commission was nearly gunned down earlier this week, hours after discussing his testimony. Self-styled political fixer Brown Mogotsi nearly became the victim of an alleged assassination attempt on Monday night in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni. Or did he?
Mogotsi and the Madlanga Commission’s team, including spokesperson Jeremy Michaels, were deep in talks earlier on Monday about getting him safely on the stand, even floating the idea of witness protection.
The commission, which kicked off in September, has been digging into allegations of criminal and political interference in our justice system, following KZN top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations in July this year.
Later on Monday, a white bakkie reportedly tailed Mogotsi’s red Chevrolet, opened fire and left. Mogotsi emerged unharmed, without any injuries.
Things then got… weird.
When the police arrived at the scene, they tried to open an attempted murder docket on the spot, but they found no Mogotsi, just his bullet-riddled car. By Tuesday, Mogotsi had ghosted the police, earning him the label “uncooperative complainant.”
Fast forward to Wednesday, and Mogotsi resurfaced at his lawyers’ offices, finally giving his statement. Police questioned him about the shooting, along with allegations of fraud and corruption, while seizing several digital devices as part of the Madlanga Commission investigation.
But here’s the big question: was it a genuine hit, or a clever stage job?
🔹When police arrived there was no blood and no ambulance. Mogotsi later told police he left as he was too “traumatised” to provide a formal statement at the time.
🔹When witnesses near the site of the shooting offered to call the police, he refused help allegedly stating that the police would “finish him off.”
🔹A witness at the scene has alleged that Mogotsi shot his own car.
If the shooting was staged, SAPS has said charges will follow.
Mogotsi has been fingered in everything from bankrolling Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to meddling in SAPS rot. He is due for a grilling later this month at Parliament’s ad hoc committee looking at the same allegations, scheduled between 18-20 November. There is no fixed date yet for his appearance at the Madlanga commission.
The police scandal gripping our country gets wilder every week. We’ll keep updating you. Be sure to check out our series of explainers on what’s emerging at the various inquiries, and how far back this all goes.
