By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has issued a notice to controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi, officially notifying him that evidence submitted to the inquiry places him at the centre of serious allegations.
The notice, dated October 7, outlined the gravity of the claims and informed Mogotsi of his right to respond.
He has been given five days to file an affidavit, presenting his version of events.
However, the Commission’s chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, retained the legal authority to compel him to appear or respond, regardless of his willingness.
The commission has heard allegations that Mogotsi used his ties with the African National Congress (ANC) to solicit money from members linked to a criminal cartel.
It was also revealed that less than 24 hours after suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu gave the order to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), on 31 December 2024, a civilian businessman from North West knew about it.
The commission was established to investigate widespread allegations of criminality, political interference, and systemic corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The Commission — which is officially known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System — has already heard the evidence of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, which was followed by that of South African Police Service (SAPS) National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola.
Other witnesses to have given testimony are KZN Director of Public Prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority, Elaine Harrison and SAPS Head of Governance, Legislation and Policy at the Legal Services Division, Major General Petronella van Rooyen.
The commission took its first break since the start of its public hearings on 17 September, It has since been declared that hearings would resume on 13 October.
Meanwhile Mogotsi insists that he is still an ANC member in good standing.
Last week, the ANC denied Mogotsi is a current member of the party. It said Mogotsi’s membership had expired.
“The ANC has noted recent allegations that certain individuals, including Oupa Brown Mogotsi, are alleged to be involved in serious organised criminal activity. Our membership records confirm that Mogotsi’s ANC membership has expired. We now can confirm that Mogotsi is therefore not an ANC, the party said in a statement.
But Mogotsi disputed this, saying, “I have seen those communications and utterances … and let me confirm something to you, I am a member of the ANC in good standing.”
Mogotsi said ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has no right to terminate his membership based on the allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Last week, Mbalula described both Matlala and Mogotsi as bad examples of ANC members.
“Brown Mogotsi is a reflection of a bad ANC member, if he is, because he is implicated in syphoning money in the name of the ANC. The ANC cannot condone such behaviour.
“The ANC cannot pride itself on such people if they are its members, and they will face the full wrath of the ANC and accountability from the side of the party,” he said.