By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Service (SAPS) are investigating a shooting incident involving the controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi in Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg.
Fullview understands that unknown gunmen opened fire on his car on Monday night. A bullet-riddled car used by Mogotsi has been recovered by the Vosloorus police.
In a brief message to members of the media on Tuesday morning, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said they are investigating whether Mogotsi was alone during the attack or travelling with a passenger.
“Ballistic experts did attend to the scene, and we are investigating a case of attempted murder. So, for now, I’m told by the acting station commander that Brown Mogotsi promised to avail himself at the police station at around 8 o’clock to open a case so that we can formally take his statement.”
Mathe did not want to be drawn to whether the attack was an attempted assassination on Mogotsi.
She added that police know who the car belongs to and that it will form part of their investigations into the incident.
The incident has raised concerns over the witnesses appearing at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Mogotsi has been named in testimony before the commission, which is probing alleged political interference in the criminal-justice system. Witnesses have linked him to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, alleging that Mogotsi may have facilitated payments to political figures and shared sensitive police information — claims he has not publicly responded to in detail.
The commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, also has confirmed that there has been a shooting incident.
Michaels says, “I have spoken to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe very briefly and obviously I can’t get into too much of the details. She is on the scene in Vosloorus, from what I understand, and it does seem like there was a shooting incident involving Mogotsi’s vehicle. But from what I understand, he is safe and he is unharmed.”
He said they have been in touch with Mogotsi,
“We’ve been in touch with Mogotsi regarding his protection as recently as yesterday. It is, of course, up to an individual witness whether he or she accepts the protection that is offered.”
His business premises were raided in October as part of a probe linked to allegations surfaced before the commission, where he was accused of facilitating payments to political figures and sharing sensitive police information.
This story has been updated after receiving full statement from the SAPS.