Brown Mogotsi, the name now echoing through the corridors of power, is far more than just an "ordinary ANC member," as he once described himself. He is alleged to be President Cyril Ramaphosa's trusted operative, a shadowy figure with a knack for winning elections, silencing dissent, and eliminating political rivals. Now, Mogotsi finds himself at the heart of a scandal that threatens to engulf Ramaphosa's administration, exposing the murky tactics allegedly employed to maintain power.
The explosive allegations levelled by Kwazulu-natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have thrust Mogotsi into the spotlight, accusing him of acting as a go-between for Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mkhwanazi claims that Mogotsi is a key player in a sophisticated criminal syndicate operating at the highest levels of the state. These allegations have prompted Ramaphosa to suspend Mchunu and launch a commission of inquiry, but the damage may already be done.
Mkhwanazi alleges that Mogotsi facilitated communications and financial transactions between Mchunu and Matlala, with Matlala allegedly providing financial support in exchange for having investigations against him dropped. A central point of contention is Mchunu's decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team in December 2024. Mkhwanazi claims that the task team was targeting Matlala, and Mogotsi allegedly informed Matlala of the impending disbandment.
While Mkhwanazi's claims remain unproven, Mchunu's initial denial of any association with Mogotsi, followed by a subsequent admission of knowing him as a "comrade," has fuelled public suspicion. In court papers, Mchunu conceded to having "interacted with Mr Mogotsi since 2017, in the presence of other comrades," further blurring the lines of their relationship.
Mogotsi's influence extends beyond mere campaigning. Sources within the ANC describe him as a master strategist, a political fixer who knows how to win elections and silence opposition. He is said to possess a deep understanding of the political landscape, with a network of contacts that reaches into the highest echelons of the ANC.
His methods, however, are alleged to be far from conventional. Mogotsi is accused of using his connections to manipulate the system, influencing key figures, and ensuring that Ramaphosa's political opponents are neutralized. He is said to be adept at gathering intelligence, exploiting vulnerabilities, and orchestrating campaigns to discredit those who stand in Ramaphosa's way.
Adding to the intrigue is Mogotsi's past. He reportedly has at least three criminal convictions, including one for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. This raises serious questions about Ramaphosa's judgment in aligning himself with such a figure.
Further evidence of Mogotsi's alleged political machinations can be found in his involvement in provincial politics. Through his Brown Mogotsi Foundation, he was instrumental in forcing then North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo out of office in 2018. Mahumapelo's support for Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, rather than Ramaphosa, at the ANC’S 2017 Nasrec conference made him a target.
Mogotsi's claim to be an undercover police informant who played a role in the arrest of fugitive rapist Thabo Bester is viewed with scepticism by many, but it underscores his alleged access to police intel and his willingness to operate in the shadows. KZN police commissioner Mkhwanazi revealed that Mogotsi had messaged him with a picture of a register that is only supposed to be accessible to police.
The allegations against Mchunu, a long-time Ramaphosa ally, are particularly damaging. Mchunu was a key figure in Ramaphosa's campaign for the ANC presidency, mobilizing support in Kwazulu-natal, the ANC’S largest province by membership. His ability to deliver a portion of the KZN delegates to Ramaphosa at the 2017 Nasrec conference was crucial to Ramaphosa's victory.
Ramaphosa's swift action in suspending Mchunu and launching a commission of inquiry is seen by some as an attempt to contain the damage and distance himself from the scandal. However, the allegations have already cast a shadow over his administration, raising questions about the ethical standards of those in power.
The President has also suddenly taken action against South Gauteng director of public prosecutions Andrew Chauke – almost two years after National Prosecuting Authority boss Shamila Batohi wrote to Ramaphosa to request his suspension, citing serious concerns about Chauke’s conduct in office. Among Mkhwanazi’s allegations was that the criminal syndicate he claims to have identified includes “prosecutors in Gauteng province”.
The commission of inquiry, headed by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will have the difficult task of untangling the web of allegations and determining the truth. It remains to be seen what evidence Mkhwanazi will present to support his claims. However, the fact that Mchunu ordered the shuttering of the Political Killings Task Team in December 2024 has already raised eyebrows. One Kwazulu-natal expert termed it "bizarre" at the time, given that political assassinations tend to increase ahead of local government elections, which are scheduled for 2026.
Many South Africans have expressed gratitude to Mkhwanazi for having seemingly prompted unusually decisive action from Ramaphosa – despite the fact that Mkhwanazi’s claims remain wholly untested.
If the commission confirms Mkhwanazi’s claims, it will expose the dark underbelly of Ramaphosa's rise to power and confirm that Mogotsi is indeed Ramaphosa's spy, used to win elections and fix political opponents. It will also represent a dramatic fall from grace for a political grouping that came to power promising clean governance in stark contrast to the dark days of State Capture. The investigation promises to be a closely watched affair, with potentially far-reaching consequences for South African politics.
The Presidency had not responded to Daily Maverick’s questions about the nature of Ramaphosa’s relationship with Mogotsi, if any, by the time of publication. The apparent overlap of political circles raises further uncomfortable issues for an administration that came to power on a reformist agenda – and is now being accused of being in unsettling proximity to a complex criminal web.
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