Mogotsi bail battle delayed amid bribery claims, address dispute

Alleged political fixer, Brown Mogotsi, has denied allegations that he attempted to bribe the investigating officer handling his case, as his bail application in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court faces further delays over disputes surrounding his residential address.

Mogotsi returned to court on Monday following his arrest shortly after appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry more than a week ago.

The State accuses Mogotsi of staging his own assassination attempt in Vosloorus in November last year and has opposed bail, arguing that he supplied false residential addresses and could abscond if released.

During court proceedings, prosecutors alleged that Mogotsi approached the investigating officer in what they believe was an attempt to influence the bail process.

In response, Mogotsi’s lawyer, Makau Sekgatja, told the court the allegation may have stemmed from a misunderstanding during communication with police.

In a supplementary affidavit read before court, Mogotsi rejected claims that he attempted to bribe the investigating officer.

The State further argued that Mogotsi provided false addresses to authorities on more than one occasion and had previously been listed as a wanted person after police allegedly failed to trace him.

Prosecutors said this strengthened concerns that he may abscond and fail to stand trial if granted bail.

Mogotsi, however, insisted that the address supplied to investigators in Mahikeng is legitimate, blaming the confusion on difficulties associated with locating homes on tribal land.

The 47-year-old also denied being a flight risk, arguing that his appearances before the Madlanga Commission demonstrate his willingness to cooperate with authorities.

Earlier in proceedings, Mogotsi pleaded with the court to grant him bail, saying his family depends on him financially.

The matter took another turn when the State requested a further postponement to continue verifying Mogotsi’s address outside Gauteng.

However, Sekgatja accused prosecutors of unnecessarily delaying proceedings, arguing that the address verification process had already been completed within two days during the previous week.

The State maintained that the delays were caused by Mogotsi allegedly failing to provide a properly verified address earlier in the process.

Mogotsi remains in custody as the bail application resumes on Thursday.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe