Minister Mchunu’s ‘comrade’ Brown Mogotsi says he’s ready to tell all after Lt Gen Mkhwanazi explosive claims

“Brown” Mogotsi, a “comrade” of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has been accused of political meddling and links to organised crime by KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says he is ready to tell all.

“I’m aware that the public, South Africans, have been waiting to hear the side of my story.”

“Definitely I’ll be doing that, remember I had to deal with my security situation, I have been followed here and there my phones had some problems. But yeah, I’m ready, I’ll be taking the nation into confidence,” he said on the radio station, 5FM.

Mogotsi, who did not said anything after the explosive allegations levelled against him, is under intense scrutiny over alleged political interference and ties to organised crime.

Mogotsi came into the spotlight after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held an extraordinary press briefing in Durban, flanked by district commissioners and members of the SAPS Special Task Force.

In his address, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of interfering in police operations and maintaining contact with criminal syndicates, aiming to undermine the Political Killings Task Team. 

He alleged that Mchunu, without authorisation from the national or provincial leadership, ordered the disbandment of the unit in March 2025 and the withdrawal of 121 active dockets - many linked to politically motivated assassinations.

“These dockets have been sitting idle at head office ever since,” Mkhwanazi said.

Mogotsi the explosive media briefing, the no-nonsense police boss presented internal SAPS communications, WhatsApp messages, and forensic cellphone data as evidence of what he described as the "orchestrated demise" of the task team.

At the centre of the controversy are allegations that Mogotsi maintained direct contact with individuals under investigation, including Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman awarded a R360 million police contract in 2024.

Mogotsi allegedly assured Matlala via WhatsApp that the investigating unit had been dissolved and that SAPS deputy national commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya had taken control of the case files. 

The proof presented included alleged financial links between Matlala, Mogotsi, and Mchunu, with apparent payments made for political events and a gala dinner.

“The disbandment of the task team was not a mistake. It was a deliberate attempt to shield an organised criminal syndicate with deep roots in our law enforcement, political, and judicial systems,” Mkhwanazi said.

He said since the creation of the Police Killings Task Team in July 2018, it has investigated 612 dockets, resulting in more than 100 convictions, including 29 life sentences. 

The unit also contributed to breakthroughs in syndicate-linked murders in Gauteng and at the University of Fort Hare.

Mkhwanazi said the push to dissolve the task team began after its ballistic expert linked weapons recovered in Gauteng to multiple high-profile killings, including cases involving South African musicians. 

A few days after the revelation, Mchunu allegedly ordered the team disbanded and intelligence appointments frozen.

In a December 2024 letter to National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, Mchunu said the task team, formed following the Moerane Commission report, was no longer relevant.

“My observation is that the continued existence of this team is no longer required nor adding value to policing in South Africa,” Mchunu wrote, directing that a closure report be submitted by January  20, 2025.

However, Masemola, on Wednesday, denied ever signing a directive to disband the team.

In March 2025, Mchunu told Parliament he did not know Mogotsi after being shown a photograph. “I don’t know this person,” he said. 

But on July 9, Mchunu acknowledged the relationship. 

“He is just a comrade, not an associate. I’ve never requested or received anything from him,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, after two days of remaining silent President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a statement stating that he will address the media on Sunday, addressinh the nation on developments arising from a public statement by Mkhwanazi that details allegations against senior political and South African Police Service leadership.

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