Pretoria – Brown Mogotsi, a close associate of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, has been formally invited by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system (also known as the Madlanga Commission) to respond to serious allegations of corruption levelled against him. The allegations were made by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during his testimony before the commission in September.
In a notice letter dated 7 October, sent to Mogotsi by the Madlanga Commission’s secretary, Dr Nolitha Vukuza, the commission states its intention to provide Mogotsi with an opportunity to respond to allegations of unlawful interference in the affairs of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The invitation letter outlines the specific allegations against Mogotsi. “On 18 and 19 September 2025, during a hearing of the Commission, evidence was presented, which further implicates you in matters under investigation. In particular LT General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi (“Gen Mkhwanazi”) testified that you allegedly and unlawfully interfered with the affairs of SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES (“SAPS”).”
The letter continues, “This evidence presented suggests that you may have been allegedly involved or mentioned in connection with political interference in the SAPS affairs. In this regard it was noted inter alia that you have an association with the Minister Senzo Mchunu, the extent of which is questioned, have established links with the criminal underworld, raising suspicions that your proximity to senior political offices could facilitate criminal infiltration.”
The commission further alleges that Mogotsi “Had unauthorised access to classified police information including but not limited to a police letter, an occurrence book entry from Empangeni, and a Crime Intelligence presentation (2024/2025), which as a civilian, you purportedly had no legitimate access to, alleged a cover-up around an incident at Empangeni Correctional Centre (involving drugs and ammunition). Implying Gen Mkhwanazi’s involvement in “defeating the ends of justice” and used intimidation tactics in addressing same with Gen Mkhwanazi."
The commission also stated that Mogotsi “Had direct interference in Ministerial and SAPS affairs when you repeatedly referenced the Minister’s movements and facilitated or claimed to arrange meetings between senior SAPS officials (Gen Sibiya, Minister Mchunu, Mr Nkabinde) and other parties. [You] had foreknowledge and involvement in sensitive SAPS and ministerial operational decisions wherein multiple WhatsApp conversation with Mr Vusmuzi Matlala, you predicted and confirmed the disbandment of the PKTT, forwarded the disbandment letter, and even discussed the relocation of dockets,”
The commission's letter suggests Mogotsi positioned himself as a "broker to cartels and politicians".
“Through these messages, you are alleged to have positioned yourself as a broker between underworld figures, political actors, and police executives. Copies of Gen Mhwanazi’s statement and bundle of evidence is available on the Commission’s website. A copy of the transcripts of the hearings are attached to this notice,” added Vukuza.
Dr Vukuza emphasised that the notice is issued in accordance with the commission’s duty to ensure procedural fairness, inform Mogotsi of the allegations, and afford him an opportunity to respond.
“The commission invites you to exercise your right to be heard by responding to these
allegations as follows: You may submit a written statement under oath (an affidavit) setting out your detailed response to the allegations. Your affidavit, should address the facts that implicate you and provide any explanation or evidence. In doing so, your affidavit must make it clear what parts of the notice or the witness’s statement are disputed or denied. And the grounds upon which those parts are disputed or denied. And be supported by relevant evidence in support of each denial. Please submit such affidavit to the Commission by no later than [5] calendar days from receipt hereof,” said Vukuza.
Mogotsi has been given five calendar days from receipt of the notice to submit a written statement under oath (an affidavit) responding to the allegations. He may also apply for leave to give evidence in person before the commission within the same timeframe. The decision to grant leave for in-person testimony rests with the Chairperson of the commission.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels stated: “The Commission has issued Rule 3 notices to several persons of interest who were implicated by Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in his testimony before the Commission. Rule 3 provides for the Commission to invite or compel Persons of Interest to testify before it. The Commission will make further announcements regarding the dates of appearance of these witnesses in due course,”
The commission is set to resume its public hearings next week Monday, 13 October. The commission’s proceedings are taking place at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria.
Last week, the national head of crime intelligence and project leader of the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS political killings task team, Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, testified at the commission for only two days before falling ill on Wednesday. His testimony was interrupted due to his sudden illness.
“[Adv] Sesi Baloyi [SC], who will be attending to her duties as a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). This week the commission’s public hearings would have continued until Friday, 3 October 2025. But when the hearing resumed at 09h30 today (Wednesday), Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga adjourned it due to the inability of Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo to proceed with his testimony as a result of sudden illness,” said Michaels at the time.
The commission is chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
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