Brown Mogotsi to make fourth bail bid in Johannesburg court over alleged staged shooting

North West businessman Brown Mogotsi is due in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for a fourth attempt to obtain bail, with his lawyers expected to rely on what they describe as new facts in a case stemming from an alleged staged assassination attempt in Vosloorus.

What the State says

The State opposes bail and has argued that forensic and other evidence undermine Mogotsi’s account of the incident, which it says occurred in November 2025.

Prosecutors allege Mogotsi fired 11 rounds at his own vehicle and then falsely reported to police that unknown gunmen had ambushed him while he was driving through Vosloorus. Investigators recovered 11 spent cartridges at the scene, the State says.

The State contends that ballistic analysis and CCTV footage contradicted Mogotsi’s version. Forensic evidence, it says, shows the vehicle was stationary when it was shot and that no one was inside. CCTV footage allegedly shows no other vehicles in the area, and prosecutors say witnesses saw Mogotsi leave his vehicle, fire shots at it and later report that there had been an attempt on his life.

Prosecutors further allege Mogotsi attempted to bribe a police officer in connection with his bail application and provided investigators with an incorrect residential address. State prosecutor Thami Mpekana told the court that one witness had previously been approached by people allegedly linked to Mogotsi after personal details were disclosed during earlier bail proceedings.

Charges and related allegations

Mogotsi faces multiple Schedule 5 charges, including perjury, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public place and attempting to bribe the investigating officer.

Investigators have also alleged that ballistic evidence links the firearm used in the alleged staged shooting to other serious crimes, including murder and attempted murder. The firearm has not been recovered, the State says.

Court process so far

Mogotsi has applied for bail three times previously; each bid was rejected. The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court dismissed his second bail application on June 4, after the court found he had failed to provide a verifiable residential address and had presented three conflicting locations. On June 29 another application based on “new facts” was rejected after the court ruled the defence had merely “reshuffled” previous evidence and had failed to clarify his permanent residence.

Mogotsi then approached the Johannesburg High Court, which dismissed his urgent bail appeal on July 30, leaving him in custody.

Recent hearing and next steps

Mogotsi made a brief court appearance last Thursday. The court also dismissed a defence application to compel prosecutors to disclose the identities and addresses of State witnesses expected to testify, ruling that those details should remain confidential because of safety concerns.

The matter was postponed to allow the State to hand the remaining investigation docket to the defence before proceedings continue. Mogotsi’s lawyer, Makau William Sekgatja, said:

“We have agreed that the matter be postponed to August 25, for purposes of the bail application on new facts,” Sekgatja said.

What to watch for on Tuesday

• Whether the defence presents new information the court accepts as materially different from earlier applications.
• Whether the State hands over the remaining investigation docket to the defence as ordered.
• Any further submissions from the State about witness safety and the alleged links between the firearm and other crimes.