Madlanga Commission | Leaked Mogotsi–Matlala chats expose alleged political–criminal links

The Madlanga Commission has uncovered explosive messages suggesting a possible nexus between politics, policing, and organised crime — with controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi at the centre of it.

Text message exchanges between Mogotsi and alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala — were shown at the commission today — showing requests for financial contributions allegedly linked to suspended police minister, Senzo Mchunu’s political ambitions, as well as discussions about fabricating cases against senior police officials.

Evidence leader, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, revealed WhatsApp messages in which Mogotsi appears to solicit R12,500 per region from Matlala to support structures believed to be aligned to Mchunu.

This was followed by a R25,000 payment into Mogotsi’s fiancée’s company account ahead of the ANC’s January 8th celebrations in Cape Town.

Mogotsi denied the payments were political, insisting they were routine organisational contributions — and rejected any suggestion of a presidential campaign being funded.

The commission also presented messages in which Matlala told Mogotsi he would help fund the minister — but only if his own requests were met. This included pressuring Mogotsi to secure assistance from Minister Mchunu in the ongoing John Wick investigation.

Messages were also shown in which Matlala allegedly suggests finding a witness who could falsely implicate KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo.

According to Advocate Chaskalson, the chats indicate that Matlala — who was arrested in a 2021 drug bust overseen by the two generals — wanted to neutralise them by engineering charges through a cooperative police official.

One official, the commission heard, was allegedly willing to help fabricate a criminal case — but only in exchange for a promotion and a bag of cash.

Further messages show Mogotsi and Matlala allegedly discussing a strategy to open a false case against officers who searched Matlala’s home in December last year.

Despite Mogotsi denying involvement, the commission produced a December 23rd message he sent to Minister Mchunu stating, “We’ve got a breakthrough.”

He also pushed Matlala for the name of an IPID official — claiming, during testimony, that it was for unrelated reasons.

“Commissioners you know, I know IPID people. I know a lot of them. I interacted with the investigators. I know a lot of them. I did not need Matlala to help finding me an IPID person who can effect any arrest. I said I wanted the IPID guy for my own purpose, whatever that I wanted him for. Not what you are implying that we are planning that an IPID guy should arrest the PKTT members,” Mogotsi said.

The businessman was repeatedly confronted with contradictions in his testimony, including submitting an affidavit in which he falsely described himself as an employee in the Police Minister’s office.

Advocate Chaskalson accused him of being a “professional liar,” arguing that Mogotsi appears to alter his version whenever evidence corners him.

Commissioner, Justice Sesi Baloyi, also questioned why Mogotsi made unverified claims, including allegations implicating Mkhwanazi and the Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini— calling his approach “grossly irresponsible.”

Mogotsi however fired back, accusing evidence leaders of overstepping their mandate and claiming he is being targeted.

He insisted that deception is sometimes part of his role as an intelligence operative.

“It is my job, Commissioners. An agent is not a police officer who collects statements for court. I provide intelligence information, which must then be converted into evidence. That conversion happens when I bring people who can corroborate what I am saying, so that it becomes the evidence the commission wants,” Mogotsi said.

When pressed on whether this means he lies under oath, Mogotsi repeatedly avoided giving a direct answer.

The commission will resume on Tuesday.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao