In what is believed to have been a hit, eight bullets struck the car of well-known businessman Brown Mogotsi in Vosloorus in the east of Johannesburg.
Mogotsi has been implicated in the parliamentary ad hoc committee’s investigation into the claims made by KwaZulu-Natal police chief Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, as well as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.
Although he has not yet appeared before either of the investigations, prior witnesses have claimed that he is connected to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, an alleged member of the Big Five syndicate, who is also connected to the syndicates that were embezzling funds from the Tembisa Hospital.
Athlenda Mathe, the police spokesperson, confirmed the shooting on Monday night, emphasising that Mogotsi did not sustain any injuries.
Mogotsi was advised to file a criminal case after he reported that a white bakkie was pursuing him prior to his car being shot at, according to Mathe.
Nevertheless, he claimed to have feared for his life and declined to file a case following the incident.
Mathe added that the police were still investigating the matter, but they had identified the owner of the white bakkie.
Deadline to file criminal case missed
She said that although Mogotsi had stated that he would come back with his attorney to open the case at the Vosloorus police station, he had already missed his deadline.
“A forensic team, ballistic experts, fingerprint experts, and others were then dispatched to the scene,” Mathe said.
“They collected all available physical evidence that will be able to assist us to determine what transpired. For now, we are investigating a case of attempted murder.”
Mathe said that on October 16, a team investigating Mogotsi for defeating the ends of justice, corruption, and fraud—cases opened by Mkhwanazi—visited his business premises to search for and seize his gadgets; however, they found that he was not present.
Despite his promise to be available, he has yet to show up before that team. They even failed to meet again last week, despite their agreement to meet on Wednesday.
Reports indicate a connection between Mogotsi and police minister Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on special leave.
According to reports, Mogotsi organised a group to attend the ANC’s January 8 statement in the Western Cape this year in support of Mchunu’s bid to lead the party as president or deputy president.
According to reports, Matlala paid for their attendance and subsequently told former police minister Bheki Cele that he believed he was being exploited for political purposes.
