Businessman Brown Mogotsi denied bail remains in custody

A North West businessman and alleged political intermediary has been denied bail after a court found he could not provide a verifiable residential address, raising concerns he might evade trial. Brown Mogotsi will remain in custody following a ruling in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Magistrate Annalise Tlhapi, presiding over the case, stated that Mogotsi had failed to prove he had a fixed address where authorities could trace him. The court noted he had submitted three different addresses that did not correspond. The magistrate said the court could not accept the defense's argument that discrepancies in a lease agreement were merely clerical errors. The ruling concluded that the interests of justice did not permit his release, as there was a likelihood he would evade his trial. The matter was postponed to June 12 for the defense to obtain the case docket and for a trial date to be set.

Mogotsi faces multiple charges, including perjury, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and discharging a firearm in a public place. The charges stem from an incident in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, on November 3, 2025. Prosecutors allege...