By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court has found that the political fixer Oupa “Brown” Mogotsi was trying to fix the shortcomings of his earlier applications and dismissed his fourth attempt to secure bail.
The judgment was handed down on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
Mogotsi stands accused of staging his own assassination on 03 November 2025, a claim he has denied.
He was arrested on May 15, after he testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of criminality and political interference in the criminal justice system.
He faces charges of perjury, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and discharging a firearm in a built-up area.
The same court refused him bail on June 4 and again on June 29, and the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed his challenge to those refusals on July 29.
Magistrate Annelise Tlhapi indicated that Mogotsi had presented a new address at 3385 Unit 10 in Mmabatho after his wife moved to the rental property on 5 August.
“It was brought to his attention by his wife, Dorothy Lekhoaba, after the initial bail application that the person that signed the previous lease agreement was not the lawful owner of that property,” the magistrate said.
While the defence submitted a valid lease agreement and proof of payment to the court, Mogotsi also provided an alternative address based in Johannesburg.
Investigating officer Alfred Odendaal told the court that both the Mmabatho and Johannesburg addresses were rental properties.
He also raised concerns that Mogotsi had not previously disclosed the Johannesburg address, which the former police informant claimed he used while testifying at the Madlanga commission in Tshwane.
“The reason for providing the Johannesburg address was that it would assist him in facilitating consultations with his lawyer more easily, which is essential for the preparation of his trial,” Tlhapi remarked.
“The court found that the applicant cannot be trusted and he failed from the beginning to be a trustworthy applicant who can provide a reliable and provable residential address.”
Based on the evidence and the information presented to the court, including the applicant’s new facts, it does not change my opinion that he is of a flight risk.
“Therefore, it is not in the interest of justice that he be released on bail and my previous decision therefore stands.”
“Bail is denied.”
Mogotsi will remain in custody after his fourth bail application was dismissed. The case was subsequently postponed to 1 October for the trial date.