Mogotsi’s recusal application against evidence leader Chaskalson dismissed, to continue testimony

By Johnathan Paoli

The Madlanga Commission has dismissed a recusal application brought by political fixer Brown Mogotsi against the inquiry’s chief evidence leader, Mathew Chaskalson, clearing the way for Mogotsi’s testimony to continue with Chaskalson leading the questioning.

Delivering the judgement on Friday, Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga said reasons for the ruling would be delivered during the course of next week or the week after, but stressed that proceedings would continue because there was no interdict in place.

The ruling came after a day-long hearing in which Mogotsi’s legal representative, advocate Nthabiseng Mohomane, argued that WhatsApp exchanges and telephone conversations between Mogotsi and Chaskalson created a “perception of bias” and a reasonable apprehension that the evidence leader was not impartial.

Mohomane argued that Chaskalson had improperly entertained communications with Mogotsi during the March testimony of businessman Suliman Carrim.

“Our recusal application is based on what we perceive as bias and