By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The political fixer Oupa Brown Mogotsi will remain behind bars after the Johannesburg Magistrates Court dismissed his second bid for bail on “new facts”.
His first bail application was dismissed on 4 June. The court cited concerns over an unverified residential address, allegations of witness intimidation and the risk that he could evade trial.
In his renewed application, Mogotsi argued that new facts had emerged since the initial ruling.
He submitted what he described as his correct residential address in Mmabatho after investigators previously said they were unable to verify the address provided during his first bail application.
The magistrate, Annalise Tlhapi, ruled that Mogotsi had not presented any new information to warrant him being released on bail. She said the address he presented was not new and it was confirmed by the wife and pin location which was submitted before court.
The court found that the information presented by Mogotsi’s legal team did not meet the threshold required for a fresh bail application.
“The court has considered the evidence in the initial bail application together with the alleged new facts placed before me. I have found that there are no new facts, only a reshuffling of evidence,” the magistrate said.
“My decision still stands. Bail is denied, “Hlapi ruled on Monday, 29 June 2026.
Mogotsi has been in custody since his arrest on May 15, 2026, just days after appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he gave evidence amid allegations that he acted as an intermediary between senior figures in law enforcement and politically connected individuals.
The state told the court that Mogotsi staged an assassination attempt against himself in Vosloorus ahead of his appearance before the commission.
He faces five charges, including perjury, defeating ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm in a public place. The case has been postponed to next Wednesday, when the court is expected to set a trial date.