Marcus Moloko
Police are investigating a case of attempted murder after businessman and political fixer Brown Mogotsi survived what may be a failed assassination attempt while travelling through Vosloorus, in the East Rand, on Monday.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police were still making attempts to reach Mogotsi to ensure he made a statement about the alleged attack.
“At around 10 pm last night, we were called by a security official belonging to private security alerting us to a shooting in the area. We immediately dispatched a team of police officers. We did find the security official and Mr Brown Mogotsi, who alleges that there was a shooting. There was a white bakkie where those individuals started shooting at his vehicle, while he was inside,” said Mathe.
“We encouraged him to open a case. He alleges that he was traumatised at the time, and he did not feel safe. He has promised that at around 8 am, he will present himself to the Vosloorus police station to open a case formally,” said Mathe.
Mathe said Mogotsi’s vehicle was seized, and police were investigating a case of attempted murder.
She also elaborated on recent investigations into Mogotsi.
“[Our investigating team] … is investigating a case of defeating the ends of justice, corruption, and fraud that was opened by [KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner] Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi [against Mogotsi].”
That investigating team made their way to Mahikeng, where Mogotsi originates from.
“They visited his business premises in an attempt to execute the search and seizure warrant for his gadgets. [Mogotsi] indicated he was not around. He made promises to present himself before the investigating team to execute the search and seizure warrant. We are still waiting for him and his lawyers. They did not honour the promise to meet with the investigating team,” said Mathe.
Mathe said repeated attempts to reach Mogotsi were unsuccessful.
“He alleges that his phone is not working. He gave the number of the [Vosloorus police station] acting station commander, a person he identifies as his bodyguard. That [person’s] phone rings unanswered,” she said.
The alleged failed assassination attempt comes as Mogotsi’s name continues to surface in testimony at the Madlanga Commission and parliament’s ad hoc committee, both of which are investigating allegations made by Mkhwanazi about corruption and political meddling in the criminal justice system.
Photos and footage circulating on social media show the aftermath of the alleged hit. At least three bullet holes can be seen on the driver’s side of Mogotsi’s car, while the vehicle’s tyres appear to be shredded.
Shattered glass and bullet casings scattered across the pavement could all point to a violent shooting.
The timing of the attack has, however, raised suspicion.
Mogotsi has been served with a Rule 3 notice by the Madlanga Commission, meaning that he has been implicated in wrongdoing via testimony or evidence given at the commission’s hearings.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels on Tuesday morning confirmed with the SABC that the commission was in ongoing talks with Mogotsi over his potential appearance. Among those discussions was the issue of witness security, said Michaels.
“We are very concerned for the safety of all witnesses. We have been in touch with Mr Mogotsi regarding his safety. Of course, it is up to an individual witness to accept witness protection. We will be able to talk about this in detail at a later stage,” said Michaels.
He said the commission had been made aware of the alleged attack and could confirm that Mogotsi was “unharmed.”
“We do expect that Mogotsi will appear at the commission. We do expect that he will appear to testify to the commission,” said Michaels.
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