Brown Mogotsi Standoff Deepens As Parliament Moves To Subpoena Him

Parliament’s long-running probe into police corruption has taken another dramatic turn, with ANC fixer and alleged Crime Intelligence asset Brown Mogotsi once again refusing to testify. This time, the impasse centres on a security stand-off that MPs say has gone from concerning to downright unreasonable.

A Witness With Conditions

Mogotsi was expected to appear before Parliament’s police ad hoc committee last week, but he turned the process upside down by issuing a string of demands before agreeing to show up. At the top of his list is a request for Parliament to pay for his own private security detail for an entire week.

According to committee secretary Vhonani Ramaano, Parliament had already offered significant protection, including security escorts from the moment Mogotsi landed in Cape Town. But that was not good enough for the businessman.

Ramaano explained that Mogotsi rejected the offer, insisting that he did not want to be protected by “people he doesn’t know” and demanding that Parliament instead pick up the tab for his personal security team.

Committee Calls Demands “Ridiculous”

The request did not sit well with MPs, who described the list of conditions as excessive and out of line with parliamentary practice. Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane made it clear that Parliament would not bow to the demands.

Lekganyane noted that the committee had bent over backwards to ensure witness safety, but Mogotsi’s insistence on taxpayer-funded private security went beyond what Parliament could reasonably offer. As a result, Mogotsi’s appearance on Friday collapsed, adding yet another delay to a process already fraught with tension.

A Subpoena On The Horizon

After rejecting his conditions, MPs reached a unanimous decision: Mogotsi will now be subpoenaed to compel his appearance. The move will only be finalised once the Speaker signs off in the coming days, but the committee has made its stance clear.

What began as a sensitive discussion around witness safety has now morphed into a test of Parliament’s authority. While the committee has been mindful of ensuring that witnesses feel secure, members are also wary of setting a precedent in which individuals can dictate the terms of their appearance.

Broader Context Behind The Tension

Mogotsi is no stranger to high-profile investigations. His recent appearance before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry last year placed him firmly under the national spotlight. His alleged links to Crime Intelligence and his reputation as a political fixer have made him one of the most anticipated witnesses in Parliament’s corruption probe.

The committee is under pressure to push ahead with its work, which has already exposed deep concerns about misconduct within SAPS structures. Mogotsi’s testimony is seen as a crucial piece of the puzzle, and MPs are determined not to let the process be derailed by a dispute over personal security preferences.

What Happens Next

If the Speaker approves the subpoena, Mogotsi will be legally obliged to testify. Whether he will continue resisting or eventually appear remains to be seen. For now, Parliament has sent a clear message: no witness, no matter how politically connected or controversial, gets to set the rules.

The next few days will determine whether this long-awaited testimony finally happens or whether the standoff escalates even further.

{Source:EWN}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com