Self-proclaimed crime intelligence agent and businessman Brown Mogotsi revealed to Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Tuesday that he had killed a man during a physical altercation in 2010, though the murder charge was eventually withdrawn .
Testimony Before Committee
Mogotsi appeared in person before the committee investigating alleged corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system, after initially requesting to testify virtually due to security concerns .
During intense questioning by MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe, Mogotsi was asked about his criminal record and whether he had benefited from charges being dropped in the past. He admitted to a history of legal issues, including charges of fraud and assault that did not lead to convictions, and confirmed prior convictions for reckless driving and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm .
The questioning took a dramatic turn when Shongwe addressed rumours of a more serious offence:
Shongwe: “Is there a murder case which was dropped among your cases?”
Mogotsi: “Yes.”
Shongwe: “What happened?”
Mogotsi: “It happened.”
Shongwe: “You murdered someone?”
Mogotsi: “Yes.”
Shongwe: “Why?”
Mogotsi: “Isn’t that personal? There was a fight and he died” .
Details of the Incident
Mogotsi clarified that the incident occurred in 2010 in Mmabatho, North West, while he was working as an agent. He denied using a firearm, stating the death occurred during a physical struggle .
“No, [I didn’t shoot him]. It was physical and he fell on his neck,” Mogotsi explained. “That case was dropped. I was found not guilty. There were no witnesses; the incident happened when it was just the two of us. It was not an intentional killing” .
Mogotsi added that he personally took the man to a clinic after the fight, where he was later pronounced dead .
Legal Proceedings
Mogotsi confirmed that he had been formally charged with murder and that the matter had been enrolled in court. He said he was out on bail at the time and present in court when the case was withdrawn due to the absence of witnesses .
“There were no witnesses. The day when I was in court, there was no witness,” he said. “The incident happened between me and this person. It was only me and him. The state did not actually have the necessary case to prove” .
MK Party MP Sibonela Nomvalo asked at what stage the case was withdrawn and whether Mogotsi had pleaded. Mogotsi initially said he had not pleaded, but later confirmed he had entered a not guilty plea .
“In Schedule 5, 6, you have to plead before going to trial. I pleaded not guilty,” he said .
EFF leader Julius Malema questioned how Mogotsi could claim there was no prima facie case if he had been formally charged and had pleaded not guilty to murder .
“When you pleaded not guilty, they would have said to you, ‘You are charged with the murder of so-and-so. Do you understand the charges?'” Malema said. “That means there was prima facie evidence of murder” .
“I don’t know,” Mogotsi replied .
He said his defence had intended to apply to have the charge reduced to culpable homicide, but the matter was withdrawn before trial .
Background and Criminal Record
Mogotsi’s criminal record includes convictions for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, defeating the ends of justice, and reckless driving, among other offences dating back to as early as 1997 . Correctional services records show he was sentenced to six months for defeating the ends of justice in 2011, six months for assault GBH in 2011, and three to five years for assault GBH and reckless driving, which expired in November 2016 .
Recent Legal Troubles
In November 2025, the Gauteng High Court issued a gag order against Mogotsi after he falsely accused ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula of involvement in the murder of businessman Wandile Bozwana. Judge Jacobus Strydom found Mogotsi’s public utterances regarding Mbalula to be defamatory and ordered him to retract the statements within 48 hours .
Mogotsi has also recently been the target of violence himself. In November 2025, his vehicle was reportedly struck by 11 bullets in Vosloorus, an incident that is the subject of an ongoing attempted murder investigation .
