Madlanga Commission intensifies probe into Mogotsi as WhatsApp exchanges with Mchunu, Matlala dominate

By Johnathan Paoli

The Madlanga Commission adjourned on Thursday afternoon after a tense interrogation of North West businessman Brown Mogotsi, whose testimony again drew sharp disbelief from chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson.

The session, dominated by questions about his communications with suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, underscored the commission’s growing frustration with what it views as a pattern of implausible explanations, contradictions, and evasions.

After lunch, Chaskalson resumed by outlining the risks inherent in an operation led by Mogotsi involving an allegedly corrupt police officer.

He put it to Mogotsi that his false claim of working in the minister’s office could easily have been exposed if the informant, encouraged by a Hawks officer, emailed Mchunu directly.

Despite Mogotsi’s earlier claims that he could block such contact, Chaskalson noted that both Mchunu and former acting crime intelligence boss Nhlanhla Nkabinde have publicly accessible