Madlanga Commission | Mogotsi struggles to explain misleading text to Mchunu

Businessman Brown Mogotsi struggled to give clear answers after admitting he sent a message to the suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, about a ConCourt ruling he had never read and which did not involve the Political Killings Task Team, despite his claims.

The Madlanga Commission on Thursday, questioned Mogotsi about why he forwarded a screenshot of his communication with Mchunu to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, suggesting that the ruling could be used to discipline PKTT operational head, Lt-Gen. Dumisani Khumalo.

The judgment, however, had nothing to do with Khumalo, the PKTT, or the province in which they operate.

The court rulings found that a suspect in the Western Cape was sentenced as a result of a forced confession statement.

Pressed by evidence leader Advocate Baloyi, Mogotsi said he only wanted to show he was engaging with the minister.

Baloyi challenged him, pointing out that he had not read the ruling and had misrepresented its contents.

“This is yet another instance of you saying things that are not supported by facts,” she told him.

Mogotsi claimed he acted based on information from an unidentified WhatsApp contact who told him the ruling made damaging findings against the PKTT.

Despite this, he admitted he never verified the information and still has not read the judgment.

Baloyi questioned why Mogotsi suggested that Mchunu and the suspended deputy police commissionerShadrack Sibiya should take disciplinary action against Khumalo instead his senior, Gen. Fannie Masemola, who holds the actual authority to discipline police officers.

She said his message created the impression he was looking for “something” on Khumalo.

Mogotsi denied this, saying his wording was misunderstood and that “English is very troublesome.”

Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga asked why Mogotsi had rushed to inform the minister without confirming the facts.

Mogotsi responded: “It happened so quickly. Even today, I have not read the judgment.”

Madlanga noted he would be surprised if the ruling had been in the news, as it related to events in the Western Cape and had no link to the PKTT.

Growing frustrated, Mogotsi questioned why he was being doubted.

“I am sitting here asking myself questions and responding to the table that says to me, the oath I have taken, they don’t believe it.”

Madlanga reminded him: “We will test your evidence.”

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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