By Johnathan Paoli
Controversial businessman and political ‘fixer’ Brown Magotsi will be spending another three nights in jail as his bail application has been postponed, again, due to the court not being able to verify the exact location of his address.
Proceedings continued at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday after it was postponed last week.
The court heard that investigating officers previously went to what they believed was Mogotsi’s address in Mmabatho, but found that neither Mogotsi nor his alleged ‘wife’, Dorothy Lekhoaba, resided there.
State prosecutor advocate Thami Mpekana argued that the inability to verify the address raised concerns that Mogotsi could evade trial if released on bail.
“As mentioned in the facts above, both Dorothy Lekhoaba and the applicant are not residing at the mentioned address. In my view, Lekhoaba is in cahoots with the applicant not to furnish a correct residential address that the applicant is residing at,” he said.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry previously heard testimony that a payment of R38,000 linked to alleged financial dealings between attempted-murder accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and Mogotsi was allegedly made to Gotlhe Specialists, a company linked to Lekhoaba.
Lekhoaba is also listed as a director of Brown Liquor Store, another company tied to Mogotsi, with both entities registered at the same Mahikeng address in the North West.
Mpekana told the court that multiple attempts were made to trace Mogotsi in Mahikeng and Gauteng before a J50 warrant of arrest was issued.
He said Mogotsi supplied incorrect addresses to authorities and had historically been difficult to trace in earlier criminal matters.
Turning to the allegations, the prosecutor alleged that Mogotsi attempted to improperly influence the investigating officer during his detention.
According to the officer’s affidavit, after fingerprints and warning statements were taken, Mogotsi allegedly approached the officer inside the holding cells and asked: “Is there something that I can do for you not to oppose my bail?”
“I immediately took offence as it was said to me in a context that I understand to be an attempt to offer a bribe. I told him immediately he must not even think of going that route with me,” the statement read.
The officer claimed Mogotsi attempted to clarify the comment by suggesting he could provide information if needed, but the officer said the explanation “did not make sense at the time”.
“In my view, he was clearly trying to propose a bribe to me,” the affidavit read.
The State is opposing bail and argued that Mogotsi had repeatedly frustrated investigators attempting to obtain a warning statement from him before his arrest.
Mogotsi was arrested on 15 May in connection with allegations that he staged an assassination attempt on himself in Vosloorus in November 2025.
The court heard that ballistic evidence and CCTV footage allegedly contradict Mogotsi’s version of events.
According to the investigating officer, forensic evidence established that Mogotsi’s maroon Chevrolet vehicle linked to the incident was stationary when it was shot at and that there was nobody inside at the time.
“Based on witness statements, ballistic crime scene reconstruction report and CCTV evidence, I have established that the complainant’s version is contradicted by independent forensic evidence,” the statement read.
Mpekana alleged that the firearm used in the shooting is linked to other serious violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder and armed robbery cases; and highlighted Mogotsi’s previous convictions, including assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, reckless and negligent driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
But, in his main and supplementary affidavits, Mogotsi denied all allegations against him and insisted he was the victim of a genuine assassination attempt.
“On the 3rd of November, I was driving in Vosloorus and a vehicle followed me. The car that was following me made a U-turn and I was shot at once. I feared for my life and immediately alighted from the vehicle and fled,” Mogotsi stated.
He rejected claims that he staged the incident.
“I therefore deny the allegations that I staged an assassination attempt and put the State to the proof of such allegations. Such an allegation is unfounded, speculative, and inconsistent with the facts of what transpired,” his affidavit read.
Mogotsi also denied attempting to bribe the investigating officer.
“In respect of the alleged attempt to bribe the investigating officer, I deny that I attempted to bribe the investigating officer in this matter. Perhaps my communication with him must have been misunderstood.”
Mogotsi’s lawyer, advocate Makau Sekgatja maintained that his client was not a flight risk, citing his family ties, businesses in North West and willingness to surrender his passport and report to a police station weekly if granted bail.
Sekgatja told the court Mogotsi earns R32,000 monthly and operates businesses including a tavern and restaurant employing several staff members.
He proposed bail of R10,000.
The matter was postponed to Thursday, for further address verification.
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