North West businessman Brown Mogotsi was arrested shortly after finishing testimony at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria on Friday. His lawyer confirmed the arrest followed proceedings where Mogotsi’s bid to recuse evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson was dismissed. Police said the arrest relates to defeating the ends of justice.
Lawyers representing Mogotsi said the arrest happened right after he completed his testimony. Radasi Sekgatja told SABC News that authorities detained his client for allegedly staging an attempted assassination.
During the session, commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga dismissed Mogotsi’s application to remove Chaskalson. The evidence leader then resumed questioning, presenting an affidavit from a Crime Intelligence colonel stating Mogotsi was never part of an undercover agent programme.
Mogotsi refused to answer several questions, stating he did not want to incriminate himself. He also faced claims that he had submitted manipulated WhatsApp records in support of his recusal bid, with evidence leaders calling for a police investigation into possible perjury.