WATCH | Mogotsi responds to 'lies' he made about top cops | Madlanga Commission

North West businessman Brown Mogotsi has returned to the hot seat on Thursday as the Madlanga Commission resumes with what has become an increasingly confrontational cross-examination into his serious and unsubstantiated claims.

Wednesday’s proceedings in Pretoria saw Mogotsi repeatedly pressed by chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, who openly accused him of lying under oath.

Chaskalson meticulously dissected contradictions in Mogotsi’s testimony, challenging him to produce any proof backing the allegations he had placed before the commission.

At the centre of the inquiry’s scrutiny is Mogotsi’s assertion that accused tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala told him he had allegedly paid R2 million to Police Minister Bheki Cele and R5 million to National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to secure a R360 million SAPS contract.

Mogotsi admitted he had no evidence of the payments beyond Matlala’s alleged claims, prompting commissioners to question whether he was abusing the platform.

Chaskalson accused him of deliberately misleading the commission with hearsay.

Mogotsi, under visible pressure, insisted he was merely relaying information given to him:“If Cat was lying to me, he lied to me. But this is what I know he told me,” he said.

Co-commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi pushed back sharply, warning Mogotsi against turning the commission into a vehicle for unverified narratives.

“You are making statements… none of which is backed up by any investigation on your part that you can produce the facts for,” Baloyi said, expressing concern over the gravity and potential consequences of the allegations.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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