Madlanga Commission
Pretoria – The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has put its hearings on hold until Tuesday, 25 November 2025, with the testimony of controversial North West businessman Brown Mogotsi still unfinished. A new date for him to wrap up will be set soon, after a day filled with tough questions and doubts about his story. Mogotsi, who has made bold claims about police corruption and foreign spies, even wondered out loud if he should keep testifying, feeling the panel might not trust his oath. This break comes as the commission digs deeper into claims of criminal ties in the South African Police Service, sparked by big revelations from top cops.
The inquiry, started by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2025, looks into serious issues like mafia links in the force and the sudden end of the Political Killings Task Team. Mogotsi’s part has been dramatic, but his words have faced hard checks, leaving many to question what’s real and what’s not.
Mogotsi’s Rocky Testimony and Call to Pause
On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, Mogotsi faced a grilling that showed cracks in his evidence. Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga asked if he took his oath seriously, pointing out it binds him to the truth. Mogotsi hit back with worries about bias. “If someone is in my shoes, does it help for me to be here or as it goes on, it will start to bind in the mind of the commissioners. Is it still appropriate for me to be sitting here giving evidence on a known fact that the oath that I have taken doesn’t help,” he said.
This came after evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson picked apart his claims, like saying KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini were CIA agents. Mogotsi could not back this up with proof, and Chaskalson noted mistakes, such as claiming a coal mine in Richards Bay that does not exist. Mogotsi shifted the spot to Mpumalanga but still lacked hard facts.
Co-commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi voiced deep concern over unproven statements. “I’m concerned that we may well be grossly irresponsible and reckless as a commission that we’ve given you a platform where you’re making all these statements and you present them as facts and you keep saying ‘I’m here to help the commission’ when in fact they are not backed up by any facts or even basic investigation on your part,” she said.
Mogotsi also talked about a “D-Day” text to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala on New Year’s Eve 2024, the same day the PKTT was disbanded. He denied any link, saying it was about a payment for an ANC event. But the timing raised eyebrows, tying into wider claims of bribes and plots.
Mogotsi’s Background and Bombshell Claims
Mogotsi says he has been a Crime Intelligence “contact agent” since 2010, using fake identities to dig into wrongdoing. He claimed late Deputy Commissioner Sindile Mfazi recruited him in 2020 to probe police issues. His testimony dropped big accusations, like Mkhwanazi getting bribes from Matlala and Masemola and former Minister Bheki Cele taking kickbacks from a R360-million health tender.
He also recounted an assassination try on 5 November 2025 in Vosloorus, where his car was shot at, linking it to his whistleblowing. Mogotsi denied staging it, but could not provide solid proof for many claims.
His ties to Matlala, accused of leading a “Big Five” syndicate, have been key. Mogotsi says he posed as a middleman but denies being part of any cartel. These stories aim to show deep rot in the police, but the lack of evidence has led to calls of perjury.
The Madlanga Commission’s Wider Scope
The commission, in its second phase, lets those named in claims respond. It started after Mkhwanazi’s July 2025 alert on mafia ties in police and politics. The PKTT’s end on New Year’s Eve 2024 is a big focus, with questions on if it was to protect interests.
Earlier hearings heard from figures like Mchunu’s chief of staff Cedrick Nkabinde, who defended referrals to probes, and violence monitor Mary de Haas, whose input led to the PKTT’s close. The inquiry aims to root out corruption and rebuild trust in the force.
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