Political fixer, Brown Mogotsi’s bail hearing has been postponed to Thursday.
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court heard on Monday that political fixer Brown Mogotsi allegedly tried to bribe an investigating officer when he was in custody after his arrest.
State prosecutor Thami Mpekane read an affidavit from the investigating officer, which revealed the damning allegation.
"After the statement and fingerprints were obtained from the applicant, as I was about to leave the cells, the applicant approached me. He made a comment relating to bail. His words were: ‘Is there something that I can do for you not to oppose my bail?’
“I took offence at what was said to me, in the context I understand to be an attempt to offer a bribe not to oppose bail if there were an opposing application. I told him he must not even think of going that route with me."
Mogtosi will remain behind bars for at least three more nights after the court postponed his bail hearing to Thursday for the investigators to verify his residential address.
The postponement deepens pressure on Mogotsi, who is fighting multiple criminal charges linked to allegations that he orchestrated a fake assassination attempt against himself last year.
Mogotsi appeared in court on Monday insisting he is innocent and claiming the state’s case is built on “speculation” and weak evidence.
But prosecutors painted a sharply different picture, accusing him of misleading investigators and frustrating attempts to trace him.
The controversial businessman was arrested about two weeks ago and faces charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, defeating the ends of justice, and perjury.
State prosecutor Advocate Thami Mpekana told the court that police officers travelled to an address in Mmabatho, North West, supplied through Mogotsi’s legal team, only to be told he did not live there.
“At the address, I found Thandiwe, and I enquired about Mogotsi. She told me the applicant does not reside at the address,” Mpekana read from the investigating officer’s affidavit.
The state further alleged that investigators repeatedly failed to reach Mogotsi before his appearance at the Madlanga Commission and claimed he previously provided false address details during a 2007 investigation.
Mogotsi’s lawyer, William Sekgatja, strongly rejected the allegations, insisting authorities had been given accurate information.
“The address is positive. I even sent a pin location to the investigating officer via WhatsApp,” Sekgatja argued.
Mogotsi told the court he could afford R10,000 bail, but for now, he remains in custody.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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