Brown Mogotsi case postponed to August as defence studies alleged shooting video

Brown Mogotsi will remain in custody after his Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court appearance on Wednesday, when the matter was postponed to 3 August 2026 to allow his legal team to study video footage that the State says shows him firing shots at his own vehicle.

Why the matter was postponed

State prosecutor Thami Mpekana told the court that the State had given the defence a digital copy of video footage that allegedly shows eyewitnesses seeing Mogotsi shoot at his own vehicle before later claiming he had survived an assassination attempt. “The copies of the footage have now been given to the defence and the defence have indicated that they would want to consult further.“

Defence lawyer William Sekgatja confirmed that they had received the footage and required time to study it, and said they would lodge an appeal at the High Court against the bail denial.

Court ruling and custody status

The presiding magistrate granted the postponement and ordered that Mogotsi remain in custody.

“Mr Mogotsi, this case is postponed until August 3, 2026, for consultation with your lawyer and you will remain in custody,” the magistrate said.

Charges and State allegations

Mogotsi faces charges of perjury, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and discharging a firearm in a public place. The charges arise from allegations that he orchestrated his own attempted assassination in Vosloorus in November 2025.

The State has alleged that eyewitnesses saw Mogotsi exit his vehicle, fire shots at it and later claim there had been an attempt on his life. Prosecutors told the court that eyewitnesses saw the vehicle stop before Mogotsi allegedly fired shots at it, and that CCTV footage indicated there were no other vehicles in the area at the time and that Mogotsi was alone in the vehicle.

Mpekana further alleged that Mogotsi attempted to bribe a police officer in connection with his bail application and provided investigators with an incorrect residential address. He argued Mogotsi should remain behind bars because he had not fully cooperated with investigators, delayed providing his statement and omitted key personal details, making it difficult for police to trace him.

Bail history and related proceedings

Mogotsi has been in custody since his arrest on 15 May. His first bail application was dismissed on 4 June after the court found he had failed to provide a verifiable residential address. His second bail application was dismissed on 29 June, when Magistrate Annalise Tlhapi found he had failed to present any new facts that justified release.

Tlhapi said the addresses provided had already been considered during the initial bail application and were supported by the same information previously presented to the court, including a location pin and confirmation from his wife. The investigating officer testified that several addresses provided by Mogotsi, his wife and his alleged landlord had been investigated, but all were occupied by other people.

Next steps

The matter will return to court on 3 August 2026 for consultation between Mogotsi and his legal team while the defence studies the video footage that the State has furnished.