Brown Mogotsi has denied claims that a correctional services uniform was allegedly prepared as part of a plan to help him escape custody.
Image: Simon Majadibodu / IOL
Alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi has denied claims that there was a “uniform ready” as part of an alleged plan to help him escape from custody.
He said the investigating officer’s claims that he wanted to escape were unfounded.
Mogotsi appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where he brought his fourth bid for bail.
Last week, investigators opposed his latest bail application, testifying that Mogotsi was planning to escape from custody.
He filed an affidavit for his latest bail application in which he addressed the reasons why his first three bail attempts were dismissed.
Mogotsi, 45, faces several criminal charges stemming from an incident reported to police on November 3, 2025.
According to the State, Mogotsi told police that he had been driving alone in Vosloorus when occupants of a bakkie allegedly chased him and fired several shots at his vehicle.
He allegedly said he was forced to stop before the occupants fled on foot.
The State alleges that Mogotsi fired 11 rounds at his own vehicle. Investigators recovered 11 spent cartridges at the scene.
He faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, defeating or obstructing the administration of justice, and perjury.
He was called to the witness stand to testify about how he had been treated in prison since he was accused of trying to escape.
His lawyer, Advocate Nthabiseng Mahomane, denied that he was planning to escape from prison.
“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.”
Mahomane said that on August 17, 2026, the investigating officer verified the address in Johannesburg.
“On the 19th of August, 2026, the investigating officer verified the address in North West, even going to the extent of verifying the details with the leasing agent.
“Fully aware that the addresses were positive, the investigating officer then comes with these unsubstantiated allegations.”
She said that, other than the report, there was no evidence to support the allegations.
“There was a search on the 18th of August, 2026, two days before my court date, and on the 23rd of August, 2026, which was also conducted two days before my court date.
“The search was a regular operation, which had nothing to do with the alleged planned escape.”
However, the defence said nothing alluding to the alleged escape being found. “I was never found in possession of a uniform in court or in the cells.”
Mogotsi said he did not recall any additional surveillance beyond the usual level of surveillance.
“Special arrangements are made when there are attempts to escape. The prisoner would be escorted by the TRT unit from the South African Police Service.”
He said no such escort was present on August 20, 2026.
Mogotsi said his legs were chained, but no reasons were given to him as to why.
“I, however, question that if this alleged escape plan was true and reported, I would have been charged with conspiracies or an attempt to escape.
“The investigating officer's statement does not assist the court in providing sufficient evidence that supports these allegations.
“These allegations are very similar to the bribery allegations, as well as the intimidation allegations, which were baseless and lacked sufficient evidence,” his lawyer said.
Mogotsi said his legs were only chained on August 20, 2026, and not on August 25, 2026.
“If there was this alleged attempt, the same measures were not put in place on the 25th, which leads me to believe that there was no such threat.”
Mogotsi’s defence argued that claims that a uniform was ready for his escape were false.
“It does not say who had the uniform ready or how exactly this plan was to be executed once at court.”
The bail hearing continues.
