On 18 November 2025, North West businessman Brown Mogotsi testified before the Madlanga Commission, alleging he served as a Crime Intelligence agent and accusing KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of CIA ties. He also implicated high-ranking officials in corruption linked to a controversial SAPS tender. The testimony, part of phase two of the inquiry into criminality in South Africa's justice system, included outlandish assertions about organised crime figures.
Brown Mogotsi, an ANC-aligned North West businessman accused of facilitating links between sidelined police minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged crime boss Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria on 18 November 2025. The commission is examining allegations of political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system, following claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mogotsi stated he was recruited as a Crime Intelligence informant in 1999 and promoted to contact agent in 2009. He described his role as creating a 'false life' for clandestine operations, using 'legend building' to build cover identities without official links. 'Being an agent is more like creating a false life for clandestine operations,' he said. 'I work for a handler whose identity cannot be revealed. My role was to provide information to Crime Intelligence.' Prior to this, Mogotsi claimed service in Umkhonto weSizwe during the liberation struggle.
Among his claims, Mogotsi alleged Mkhwanazi and Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini were recruited by the CIA in 2023-2024, amid South Africa's International Court of Justice case against Israel and concerns over Richards Bay trade interests. 'The information we got suggested there was suspicion that Mkhwanazi had been recruited by the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency,' he testified. He cited the king's US stay and Mkhwanazi's American training as origins of the suspicions, and said he discussed this with late former police minister Nathi Mthethwa in August 2025.
Mogotsi further accused Matlala's company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, of ties to former police minister Bheki Cele after securing a R360-million SAPS health services tender in 2024, later cancelled. He claimed Matlala paid national police commissioner Fannie Masemola R5 million toward a R25-million demand and Cele R2 million toward R10 million, based on a 7 December 2024 meeting. Mogotsi also identified Matlala as the 'John Wick' gunman who targeted Boko Haram gang members in 2021, linking it to a 2018 parliamentary presentation by Cele.
Additionally, Mogotsi recounted being approached by late deputy national police commissioner Sindile Mfazi in December 2020 to probe vehicle procurement irregularities and informant payments post-PPE scandal. Mfazi's 2021 death is under investigation as possible poisoning. Evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC allowed Mogotsi's unexamined statement on Tuesday, with cross-examination scheduled for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, police are probing a recent shooting targeting Mogotsi in Vosloorus, where his vehicle was bullet-riddled but he escaped unharmed.