North West businessman and alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi has been arrested shortly after testifying before the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria on Friday.
Mogotsi’s legal representative, Radasi Sekgatja, confirmed the arrest to SABC News, stating that his client was taken into custody shortly after completing his testimony before the commission. Sekgatja also expressed concern about Mogotsi’s wellbeing while in police custody.
Police earlier confirmed that a suspect had been arrested on charges relating to defeating the ends of justice following allegations of a staged attempted assassination. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
During proceedings at the commission earlier in the day, Chief Evidence Leader Matthew Chaskalson challenged Mogotsi’s version of events and suggested that there had never been a genuine investigation into businessman Vusimuzi Matlala.
Chaskalson further argued that Mogotsi’s alleged objective had been to target Police Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo rather than Matlala.
“And you only became interested in Mr Matlala when he was raided by SAPS members who you believed were the PKTT, and you thought that arising out of that raid you could get criminal charges brought against PKTT members and use that against General Khumalo. What is your answer to that?” Chaskalson asked during the hearing.
Mogotsi rejected the allegation, replying: “No, that’s not the case.”
The commission continues to hear testimony relating to allegations of political interference, law enforcement conduct and alleged manipulation of criminal investigations.
The arrest has added another dramatic development to the high-profile proceedings, which have attracted national attention amid growing scrutiny over alleged networks of influence and corruption involving law enforcement officials, political figures and business interests.