Johannesburg – Controversial North West businessman Brown Mogotsi has denied allegations that he was preparing to escape from custody, dismissing claims that a correctional services uniform had been arranged for him.
Mogotsi appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for his fourth attempt to secure bail after investigators opposed his latest application, alleging that he was planning to flee.
According to IOL, Mogotsi told the court that he had never made arrangements to disguise himself as a correctional official or escape from custody.
“I have never planned an escape from court, nor have I ever made any arrangements to disguise myself as a correctional official or to leave the court cells while disguised as such. I came forward with new bail facts,” he said.
Mogotsi, 45, is facing charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, defeating or obstructing the administration of justice and perjury.
The charges relate to an incident in Vosloorus on 3 November 2025. The state alleges that Mogotsi fired 11 shots at his own vehicle, with investigators recovering 11 spent cartridges at the scene.
[WATCH] Brown Mogotsi explains events that took place at the Johannesburg Correctional Services on the 20th of August before his alleged botched escape plan. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/Rmg0dBaAD7
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 1, 2026
Mogotsi, however, previously told police that he had been driving alone when occupants of a bakkie allegedly chased him and fired shots at his vehicle before fleeing on foot.
His lawyer, Advocate Nthabiseng Mahomane, also challenged the investigating officer’s claims that Mogotsi was preparing to escape, pointing to the verification of addresses provided for his bail application.
She told the court that the investigating officer had verified an address in Johannesburg on 17 August and another in North West two days later.
Mahomane argued that despite the positive verification, the state had subsequently raised what she described as “unsubstantiated allegations” about an alleged escape plan.
[WATCH] Alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi is back in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court today for the continuation of his bail application on new facts. Correctional Services is expected to provide the court with a detailed report on his alleged escape plan, which… pic.twitter.com/PzqYXtcpUs
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 1, 2026
Mogotsi also gave evidence about his treatment in prison after the escape allegations emerged.
He told the court that he was handcuffed by an unfamiliar police officer while being transported to court, but that the restraints were removed after his appearance.
He said prison officials never explained why the additional restraints had been placed on him.
Mogotsi further argued that he had not lost any of his prison privileges, which he said would normally happen if an inmate was suspected of committing a serious disciplinary offence such as attempting to escape.
The businessman’s bail bid was complicated further when his challenge to the state’s evidence prompted prosecutors to request that the transcript of his previous court appearance be brought before the court.
According to The Citizen, the matter was subsequently postponed to 11 September, when the court is expected to continue dealing with the bail application and the issues raised over the evidence.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
