South Africa - Johannesburg - 18 May 2026 - North West businessman Brown Mogotsi, made a brief court appearance at the Johannesburg magistrate's court.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The firearm allegedly used in the attempted assassination of political fixer Brown Mogotsi has been linked by police to multiple violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and attempted hijacking cases dating back four years.
The revelations surfaced in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday as Mogotsi made his first appearance following his arrest in connection with what police suspect was a staged shooting in Vosloorus.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the ballistic report tied the firearm to a 2021 murder case in Eldorado Park, as well as two attempted murders where police recovered 18 cartridges at the crime scene.
“The gun is also linked to attempted murder, attempted hijacking and robbery with aggravating circumstances cases in Roodepoort,” Mathe told journalists outside court.
Police confirmed Mogotsi was arrested on Friday night after a multidisciplinary SAPS team executed a J50 warrant.
“The case emanates from the alleged staging of an attempted assassination on the suspect’s life in Vosloorus,” Mathe said.
The case centres on a November 2025 incident in which Mogotsi claimed he was ambushed by unknown gunmen travelling in a white bakkie while driving his red Chevrolet through Vosloorus.
Officers later recovered about 11 spent cartridges at the scene. Investigators now believe the alleged attack may have been orchestrated.
Inside court, proceedings briefly came to a halt after Mogotsi’s lawyer requested time for him to change clothes before entering the dock.
The matter was postponed to May 25 to allow Mogotsi to submit a formal bail application while investigators continue verifying his residential address and previous arrests.
His lawyer, Makau Sekgatja, opposed the postponement, arguing that police had sufficient time to complete the verification process.
“In March, the investigating officer visited the accused’s business premises, which is close to where he resides,” Sekgatja argued in court.
“The accused has already spent time in custody since Friday. We would prefer the matter to proceed on Thursday.”
The state opposed the request, saying investigators still needed more time because the address verification process involved more than one province.
Outside court, Sekgatja said he had not yet fully consulted his client.
“We are concerned that he is probably hungry and cold wherever he is, especially given the weather. We want to ensure that he is kept warm,” he said.
But, he was confident that Mokgotsi will get a bail.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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