Testimony as an alleged informant
Mogotsi testified that he had worked as a police informant and crime-intelligence 'contact agent.' Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson disputed his account; the claims remain contested on the record, not findings.
Witness
Oupa 'Brown' Mogotsi
North West businessman · North West
Testified · arrested
A North West businessman whom commission witnesses described as an alleged middleman or 'conduit' linking former police minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged organised-crime figure Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. He testified in November 2025 and returned on 15 May 2026, where he initially invoked his right to remain silent, failed in a bid to have evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson recused, and was arrested shortly afterward. All claims against him are untested allegations; he is presumed innocent.
This profile summarises testimony and evidence given on the public record before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. It restates allegations as presented at the hearings and is not a finding of guilt, liability, or wrongdoing by any person.
Their role
What the record says
Disputed crime-intelligence status
One Crime Intelligence affidavit reportedly stated there were no records that Mogotsi was ever an SAPS agent, while another indicated he was registered as an informant in 2001 and deregistered months later. The discrepancy is part of the evidence and has not been resolved.
Alleged conduit between Mchunu and Matlala
Witnesses and the evidence leader alleged Mogotsi acted as a conduit between former minister Senzo Mchunu and businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, with messages said to have been relayed between them. Mogotsi denied wrongdoing; none of this is a proven finding.
Recusal application against Chaskalson, dismissed
His application to remove chief evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson, alleging bias, was dismissed by Chairperson Madlanga on 15 May 2026. Chaskalson denied the allegations of bias.
Refusal to answer, then arrest
On returning to the stand he initially declined to answer questions, saying he would not incriminate himself, before agreeing to proceed. He was arrested on 15 May 2026 after his appearance, reportedly facing a charge of defeating the ends of justice. The charges are untested and he is presumed innocent.
On the stand
Appears across 4 hearing days
Connections
How this witness links to the record
Named in his evidence
Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner
Mkhwanazi described Mogotsi as a conduit who allegedly knew of the task team's disbandment before he did.
View profile →Alleged conduit toSenzo Mchunu
Minister of Police (on special leave)
Witnesses alleged Mogotsi relayed messages between Mchunu and an alleged cartel figure; both deny wrongdoing.
View profile →Accused by him of deceptionSuleiman Carrim
Businessman
Businessman Suleiman Carrim testified that Mogotsi and Matlala 'played' him into loaning millions towards the R360m SAPS Medicare24 tender. Mogotsi denies wrongdoing; untested allegations.
View profile →Alleged co-conduitVusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala
Businessman; alleged 'Big Five' cartel figure
Carrim testified that Mogotsi and Matlala together 'played' him into the tender deal; money allegedly flowed to Mogotsi from the Medicare24 chain. Mogotsi denies wrongdoing; untested.
View profile →The Soweto cases the commission asked whether he steeredFadiel Adams
Member of Parliament and leader, National Coloured Congress
On Day 163 a commissioner put to Adams that 'almost every case that is opened in Soweto relating to our terms of reference somehow has Mr Mogotsi's fingerprints', and that the officer who admitted Adams to Orlando SAPS is the Crime Intelligence official described in evidence as Mogotsi's handler. Adams denied Mogotsi had any hand in it and said he spoke to him once by phone. Untested; both presumed innocent.
View profile →Alleged to have introduced him to AdamsMajor-General Andre Lincoln
Former head, Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit and Presidential Investigation Task Unit (deceased); named in evidence as Fadiel Adams's source
Adams told the commission that the late Major-General Andre Lincoln phoned Mogotsi from his own house and introduced him as someone close to the police minister, and that the conversation was about Lincoln's unpaid pension. Adams says he now knows the description was untrue. Untested; Lincoln is dead and cannot answer it.
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