By Thapelo Molefe
The State has accused political fixer Brown Mogotsi of attempting, through his wife and a cellphone call from custody, to pressure a witness into changing her statement, arguing that the allegations show he could interfere with witnesses if released on bail.
The allegations emerged in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday during Mogotsi’s renewed bail application, which his legal team said was based on “new facts”.
Mogotsi was previously denied bail on 4 June after the court found that he had failed to provide a verifiable fixed residential address, raising concerns that he could evade trial.
In opposing the fresh application, investigating officer Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Odendaal said he initially had no concerns that Mogotsi would interfere with witnesses, but his view changed after receiving information from witness Thandiwe Senokwane, whose evidence formed part of the earlier address verification dispute.
According to Odendaal’s affidavit, Senokwane contacted police
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