Mogotsi remanded in custody for week after ‘staged hit’ case postponement
Police further alleged that the firearm linked to Mogotsi’s shooting incident had also been connected to a 2020 armed robbery case that involved a motorist who was robbed.
Controversial North West political fixer Oupa Brown Mogotsi appeared in court on Monday in connection with the alleged staged assassination attempt on his life in Vosloorus last year.
State pushes for verification of accused’s residential address
Mogotsi will remain behind bars for seven days after the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court postponed his matter to next Monday for a formal bail application.
The State requested a postponement to allow investigators to verify Mogotsi’s residential address in Mmabatho, in the North West.
According to police, the incident dates back to 3 November 2025, when Mogotsi allegedly reported that his vehicle had been ambushed and shot at multiple times while he was driving in Vosloorus.
Speaking outside court, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said that investigators later found contradictions between Mogotsi’s version of events and the evidence gathered by police.
“We found that his version of events and our evidence were contradicting each other, and we then finalised the investigation and handed over the docket to the DPP for a decision,” she said.
She confirmed that Mogotsi faced multiple charges, including defeating the ends of justice and perjury.
Police further alleged that the firearm linked to Mogotsi’s shooting incident had also been connected to a 2020 armed robbery case, via ballistic testing, that involved a motorist who was robbed and shots were fired during that attack.
Mathe said police were still searching for the firearm allegedly used during the incident and have not ruled out the possibility that Mogotsi may not have acted alone.
At the same time, she warned members of the public against opening false criminal cases and misleading investigators.
Mathe said the alleged false reporting had wasted police resources and delayed justice for genuine victims of crime.
Defence disputes allegations and prepares bail challenge
Mogotsi’s lawyer, Makau William Sekgatja, said his client’s immediate priority was securing bail.
Sekgatja clarified that the postponement was linked to the formal bail process under Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
“The seven days is for bail application and not for address verification,” he said.
He acknowledged the seriousness of the charges facing his client, particularly those relating to the alleged possession of a firearm and ammunition.
“Those charges hold a minimum sentence of 15 years. However, we believe that we’re going to challenge those particular charges in court,” Sekgatja said.
He added that Mogotsi would not remain silent during bail proceedings and would respond to allegations made against him.
Sekgatja also revealed that Mogotsi was “clearly shocked” after being arrested shortly after concluding his testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Friday.
Despite this, he said his client remained in good spirits and was preparing to challenge the case in court.
The lawyer further claimed that Mogotsi fears for his life following previous incidents, including a raid at his property last year and the alleged shooting incident in Vosloorus.
However, Sekgatja denied that any firearm had been found in Mogotsi’s possession.
“There is no firearm that was found in his possession. He doesn’t own a firearm,” he said.
NPA details allegations of staged shooting and false affidavit
In a statement issued after the court appearance, the National Prosecuting Authority said it remains committed to protecting the integrity of the justice system.
NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said Mogotsi faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, defeating the ends of justice, and perjury.
According to the NPA, investigations allegedly revealed that Mogotsi deliberately stopped his vehicle, exited while armed, and fired multiple shots at his own vehicle before falsely reporting an assassination attempt to police.
The NPA said Mogotsi also allegedly submitted a false affidavit under oath claiming that unknown assailants had attacked him.
“The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed to ensuring that any attempt to undermine the administration of justice is dealt with in accordance with the law,” the authority said.
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