From provincial influencer to national headline

Brown Mogotsi, a businessman from Seweding village near Mahikeng, North West, has long wielded influence in his home province. Once known mainly in political and business circles, Mogotsi became a household name and a lightning rod for public scrutiny, after a dramatic alleged assassination attempt in October.

Before the alleged attack, Mogotsi’s notoriety stemmed from the alleged mix of business, politics, and shadowy connections. Through his Brown Mogotsi Foundation, he reportedly challenged provincial decisions, including filing legal action against a R1 billion catering tender for North West health facilities in 2023. He even tried to intervene in former premier Supra Mahumapelo’s leave of absence, making Mogotsi a thorn in the province’s political machinery.

But it was July’s revelations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that catapulted Mogotsi into national controversy. Allegations emerged suggesting Mogotsi acted as a conduit between suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu and detained businessman Vusi “Cat” Matlala, allegedly facilitating payments to political figures and sharing sensitive police intelligence with criminal networks.

South Africans were left questioning how a civilian could have such access to confidential crime intelligence documents and outrage quickly spread across social media and news outlets.

The attempted hit: A story unravelled

On the night of 3 October in Vosloorus Extension 25, southeast of Johannesburg, Mogotsi claimed that gunmen in a white bakkie opened fire on his red Chevrolet Aveo. Investigators reportedly found 11 shell casings, two of which pierced the driver’s door. Miraculously, Mogotsi escaped without injury.

The narrative, however, has been riddled with inconsistencies:

• Initial reports suggested Mogotsi was shot at while driving; later, he said he had just stepped out of the car.

• He initially refused to cooperate with the police and failed to report as instructed, only later engaging investigators through his legal team.

• No credible eyewitness accounts corroborate Mogotsi’s version of events.

Social media users were quick to dissect every detail, from photos of the vehicle to the trajectory of bullets and many questioned whether the assassination attempt was genuine or a poorly staged performance. Memes and speculation painted Mogotsi as more theatrical than targeted.

From political influencer to subject of inquiry

Mogotsi’s alleged influence extended beyond North West. His name now appears in at least two high-profile investigations:

1. The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria.

2. Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing Mkhwanazi’s claims about underworld capture of security structures.

His businesses were raided last month amid ongoing probes into corruption and political interference, highlighting the growing pressure from law enforcement and the judiciary.

Public sentiment: disbelief and ridicule

While bullets reportedly failed to harm Mogotsi, his credibility appears fatally wounded. South Africans on social media have largely dismissed the assassination story, suggesting the drama may have been orchestrated for attention or sympathy.

From Johannesburg to rural North West, citizens are incredulous: How does a civilian escape 11 bullets fired at close range unscathed? And why would someone of Mogotsi’s alleged reach stage a scenario that only amplified public scrutiny?

The online narrative is clear: Mogotsi may survive attacks, but his public image is in tatters.

What next for Mogotsi?

The fallout is ongoing. Mogotsi faces:

• Multiple investigations into corruption and political interference.

• Scrutiny from parliament and judicial commissions.

• Public mockery and skepticism over his “survival story.”

Whether Mogotsi can navigate this storm or becomes a permanent cautionary tale of hubris remains to be seen. One thing is certain: in South Africa, surviving bullets is one thing, surviving public doubt is another.

{Source: The Citizen}

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