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Brown Mogotsi testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, 18 November 2025.
Proceedings in the Madlanga Commission got off to a heated start on Thursday when North West businessman Brown Mogotsi faced cross-examination. This was over his witness statement which the commission criticised as having only claims and without any solid evidence.
Mogotsi faced criticism from Commissioner Sandile Khumalo and Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Both questioned the truthfulness of Mogotsi’s statement which has demonstrated to be largely inconsistent.
Madlanga questioned Mogotsi’s commitment to his oath. This as Mogotsi has made several claims in his statement which have not been backed up.
Mogotsi: Commissioner, would I be allowed to say something.
Mandlanga: Can you just answer the question, would you consider that oath to be binding on your conscious.
Mogotsi: For the purpose of the mission I was undertaking commissioner it was the only way to execute the mission.
Madlanga: Can you now answer the question directly? Did you consider that oath to be binding on your conscious. Yes or no. You’ve given an explanation now I want a direct answer to my question.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo also pointed out Mogotsi’s inconsistencies.
In his first day of testimony, the North West businessman claimed to have been an Umkhonto operative. This is a statement that Commissioner Khumalo has questioned.
Khumalo: Do you know that Umkhonto weSizwe was disbanded in 1993?
Mogotsi: Yes, I am aware.
Khumalo: As a 13 year old, you would’ve been an Umkhonto weSizwe operative in the SDU, in 1993.
Mogotsi: No, I was not 13 years old. I know you, commissioner, you are bringing in on the basis of my birthday era. I was not born in 1979. I was born in 1977.
Khumalo: So, that’s another lie in your affidavit?
The intense cross-examination of Mogotsi also resulted in him questioning if he should continue answering questions.
He hinted to wanting to leave the commission.
“If someone is in my shoes, does it help for me to be here or as it goes on, it will start to bind in the mind of the commissioners. Is it still appropriate or me to be sitting here giving evidence on a known fact that the oath that I have taken doesn’t help.
While Mogotsi has not completed his testimony, he will return on a date that is yet to be announced.
A new witness will take the stand on Tuesday.
Madlanga Commission | Mogotsi faces cross-examination on Thursday:
