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Brown Mogotsi’s Claims Unravel Under Tough Questioning at the Madlanga Commission
A tense return to the stand
The Madlanga Commission in Pretoria placed North West businessman Brown Mogotsi back under the spotlight this week as he returned to the witness seat for continued questioning. His testimony has drawn sharp attention inside the inquiry room, especially as commissioners pressed him to clarify serious contradictions that emerged during earlier sessions.
A claim with no supporting documents
At the centre of the exchange is Mogotsi’s claim that businessman Vusimuzi Cat Matlala told him he had allegedly paid R2 million to Police Minister Bheki Cele and R5 million to National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. The alleged payments, according to Mogotsi, were linked to a R360 million SAPS contract.
When asked to produce proof, Mogotsi confirmed that he had none. He said he was repeating what Matlala had allegedly told him, a position that immediately raised concern among the commissioners.
A cross-examination that grew sharper by the minute
Chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson confronted Mogotsi with inconsistencies in his statements and questioned why such serious allegations were presented without supporting evidence. He also warned Mogotsi about the implications of providing unverified claims while under oath.
Co-commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi delivered a similar message. She reminded Mogotsi that the commission could not rely on statements that had no investigative basis. She stressed that such allegations, without verification, could not be treated as an established fact.
Pressure and pushback in the hearing room
Mogotsi appeared under visible pressure throughout the questioning. Despite repeated challenges, he continued to insist that he was simply sharing information he believed had been relayed to him by Matlala. His stance highlighted the difficulty the commission faces when witnesses offer claims that cannot be substantiated.
Why the commission’s scrutiny matters
The focus on evidence and verification reflects the seriousness of the inquiry. Allegations involving senior police officials carry significant weight, and the commission has made it clear that testimony must meet the required standard of proof. The detailed questioning serves to protect the integrity of the process and ensure that unverified claims do not gain unwarranted credibility.
The road ahead
The Madlanga Commission will continue examining Mogotsi’s testimony as well as the broader circumstances surrounding the allegations. For now, the inquiry remains firmly centred on distinguishing confirmed facts from untested statements and on ensuring that the process remains grounded in evidence rather than speculation.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
