Police have raided the business property of Brown Mogotsi, a controversial businessman from the North West province whose name has been mentioned in ongoing investigations into political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the police operation at Mogotsi’s business premises in Seweding village, Mahikeng, on Thursday, 16 October 2025, is part of an ongoing investigation that has already been discussed by Parliament’s ad hoc committee and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
In simple terms, a commission of inquiry is a formal investigation set up by the government to find out the truth about serious issues — in this case, alleged corruption and political interference within the justice system.
Brigadier Mathe confirmed the police presence, saying:
“The SAPS confirms that there is police presence at the business premises of Mr Brown Mogotsi in Seweding village in Mahikeng. This visit is part of an ongoing investigation that has already been discussed before the ad hoc committee and the Madlanga commission.”
Mogotsi, who spoke to Newzroom Afrika, said he was surprised by the raid, which he described as a search and seizure operation — meaning police were looking for documents, devices, or other items that could be used as evidence.
He said he was in Johannesburg at the time and not at his business property.
“I was told the police were at my business premises. They said they’ll be here around 22:00 SAST, but I will not meet them at night. I’d rather hand myself over at the Alexandra police station tomorrow morning because I don’t trust those ones, as some of them were wearing balaclavas,” he said.
Mogotsi’s name has surfaced repeatedly during testimony at the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating corruption within law enforcement and the intelligence community.
Witnesses have linked Mogotsi to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who is currently in prison for attempted murder and money laundering.
Evidence presented before the commission suggested that Mogotsi acted as an intermediary, or go-between, for Matlala and certain political figures, allegedly helping to facilitate communication and financial arrangements.
He is also accused of soliciting funds to support African National Congress (ANC) activities.
During a Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee session on Thursday, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed that he does know Mogotsi but denied discussing any operational decisions with him.
Mchunu specifically denied claims that he had consulted Mogotsi about the decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team, a special police unit formed to investigate politically motivated murders.
The team’s disbandment has drawn criticism, with some alleging that political influence played a role in the decision.
The police have not said what specific evidence they are looking for at Mogotsi’s property, but they confirmed that the operation is connected to the broader investigation discussed by both Parliament and the Madlanga Commission.
Authorities have not confirmed whether any arrests were made or items seized during Thursday’s search.
As of Thursday evening, Mogotsi maintained that he would cooperate with law enforcement, but on his own terms, saying he would present himself voluntarily to the police in Johannesburg rather than meet officers at night.