The State has made a startling allegation against self-described political fixer Brown Mogotsi, claiming he planned to escape from the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court cells during his appearance on 20 August.
The allegation emerged as Mogotsi made his fourth application for bail. His legal team argued that the latest application was based on new facts, including two new residential addresses that they say provide assurance that he will attend his trial.
Mogotsi faces charges of defeating the ends of justice in connection with an alleged staged assassination attempt. He is accused of shooting at his own vehicle in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg, in November 2025.
According to an affidavit by the investigating officer, Mogotsi allegedly planned to use a Correctional Services uniform as a disguise before attempting to flee from the court cells.
The claim reportedly caught Mogotsi’s defence team off guard, prompting the court to postpone the bail proceedings to 1 September.
The postponement will allow the court to receive a report from Correctional Services regarding the alleged escape plan.
The State has also raised concerns about the two new addresses presented by Mogotsi’s legal team, arguing that their credibility is questionable because he had allegedly never disclosed them previously.
The defence maintains that the addresses demonstrate that Mogotsi has stable places to stay and would comply with his court obligations if released on bail.
Mogotsi will now have to wait until next week to learn whether his latest bail application will be successful.