Alleged crime intelligence agent Brown Mogotsi has told a parliamentary committee that KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi works with the CIA, claiming he was tasked to investigate the matter.
Image: Supplied/Parliament
Alleged crime intelligence agent Brown Mogotsi insists that KZN police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Zulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini work with the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and that he even travelled to Kenya to speak with a source about allegations.
Mogotsi is appearing in person at the ad hoc committee after initially requesting to testify virtually, citing security concerns.
The North West businessman had previously asked Parliament to cover the travel and accommodation costs for his personal security team as a condition of his appearance.
The committee is investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system, following claims made by Mkhwanazi during a media briefing in July last year.
This was the first time Mogotsi spoke publicly about Mkhwanazi.
Mogotsi previously told the Madlanga Commission that Mkhwanazi and Zulu King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini had been recruited by the CIA.
He said he obtained the information from a source, pointing to Misuzulu’s time living in the United States and Mkhwanazi’s own claims that he was “trained by the Americans.”
However, Mogotsi confirmed that his source did not provide any evidence to support the allegations.
He also accused Mkhwanazi of sending members of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) to intimidate, harass, and attempt to kill members of the Royal House associated with AmaZulu Prince Simakade.
Asked by evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson whether his source had given any proof, Mogotsi said: “You see, when information came, commissioners, it further talks to the treatment, with the combination of General Mkhwanazi and King Misuzulu, how they treated the brother of King Misuzulu, Prince Simakade.”
Mogotsi told the ad hoc committee that the information came as a task from his handler concerning Mkhwanazi and King Misuzulu.
“But he will not come and say, hey, they are recruited and you keep quiet,” he said.
He linked the allegations to international matters, including South Africa’s engagement with Israel through the International Criminal Court.
“Now, if we continue to read on the part of the International Criminal Court… because of the cold terminal in Richards Bay, the contract and the arrangement, the majority of that coal goes to Israel,” Mogotsi said.
Mogotsi added that members of the PKTT had visited the Royal House in relation to these matters and that a case had been opened against Mkhwanazi.
“In the docket of the case… the A1 statement from the aide and the brother to the prince… he did mention all,” Mogotsi said.
“He did mention the harassment and how, most of the time, the fight about this is related to the Temirak, and how they want to extend the contract of the Israelis.”
Advocate Maria Mokhaoetsi, leading the evidence, said Mogotsi’s claims were extremely serious.
“He is saying that (Mkhwanazi) is also working on protecting Western interests, going against what he’s tasked to do in his current position,” she said. She asked whether Mogotsi had followed up on his suspicions.
Alleged crime intelligence agent Brown Mogotsi has told a parliamentary committee that KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi works with the CIA.
Image: Supplied/Parliament
“You see, there are things that when someone speaks, you listen to… that doesn’t necessarily mean it came from me. It came as a task to establish that since the case has been opened… it means there are allegations,” Mogotsi replied.
He said he had also contacted the late former police minister Nathi Mthethwa to discuss why Mkhwanazi had previously been removed from his position.
“Yes, exactly, in my personal life, when I act, it is based on wanting to achieve, trying to complete or continue with my investigation,” Mogotsi said.
Mogotsi confirmed that he had travelled to Kenya to meet a source who shared similar suspicions.
“Indeed, I went to Kenya, I met this particular guy, and I said he gave me this particular name, which I don’t believe, but he still said he knew those suspicions, he was aware of that,” he told the committee.
Asked if there was currently an investigation into Mkhwanazi for allegedly protecting Western interests, Mogotsi declined to comment.
“No, I cannot confirm, as officially, I’m not in a position to say yes, there is an investigation against General Mkhwanazi,” he said.
He added that the case opened in the Midlands by the Royal House involved coal contracts and allegations of interference by the PKTT.
“The reason he was explaining… the PKTs harass him, he’s protecting who, and how is he connecting with the current king, and ensuring that they don’t deal with the Chinese… it involved coal,” Mogotsi said.
The ad hoc committee continues its hearings.
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