By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The political fixer Brown Mogotsi has failed to show up at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, March 2, 2026, forcing the commission to postpone the proceedings to Wednesday, 05 March 2026.
Mogotsi cited illness for his failure to appear before the commission.
The chief evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson said that despite there being several issues he wanted to examine Mogotsi on, he had received a message from him saying that he is ill.
“It is a very unfortunate situation, I would ask that we don’t make any final decisions about how to respond to it, until we have the opportunity to take a look at the medical certificate. We have been told that he will get us a certificate, as soon as he returns from a doctor, “Chaskalson said.
The interrogation follows Mogotsi’s captivating testimony, where he levelled a series of sensational and occasionally far-fetched claims before the commission probing criminality, political meddling and corruption in South Africa’s justice system.
Among claims was that he was a SAPS Crime Intelligence agent and that KZN police commissioner Nhanhla Mkhwanazi and Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini were recruited by the CIA.
The allegations he has since retracted before the Parliament Ad Hoc Committee, which is running concurrently with the Madlanga Commission.
Mogotsi has been accused of being the go-between for sidelined police minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is alleged to have made payments towards Mchunu’s ANC presidency campaign and paid off several top cops.
The chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga indicated that, the commission would have found Mogotsi in contempt.
“But for your request, until we have a medical certificate, Mogotsi is in contempt, we were going to initiate legal proceedings against him,” Madlanga said.
Madlanga added the inquiry will not tolerate witnesses coming up with “last-minute illnesses”.
A decision on how to proceed with the contempt will be taken on Wednesday morning. The national Organised Crime head Robert Shibiri is expected to take the stand.
The commission enters the final month of its mandate next week, amid discussions about a possible extension. The engagements with the Presidency on a potential extension are under way.
The commission was initially given six months to probe alleged criminal and political infiltration of South Africa’s criminal justice system, with its deadline set to expire on 17 March.
More than 30 witnesses have testified so far, with the inquiry currently in phase two, allowing implicated individuals to respond to allegations. Phase three will involve recalling witnesses for cross-examination.