The Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has resolved to subpoena Mr Brown Mogotsi to appear before the committee as a witness. This is after Mr Mogotsi insisted on Parliament paying for his own security detail rather using the one provided by the institution.
The decision follows Mr Mogotsi’s indication that he would not appear before the committee due to alleged security concerns. Mr Mogotsi expressed dissatisfaction with Parliament’s security arrangements and demanded that Parliament fund a seven-day private security detail of his choice, including travel and accommodation, as a condition for his appearance.
Mr Mogotsi was scheduled to testify on Thursday regarding allegations that he acted as a middleman or “fixer” who facilitated criminal infiltration and political interference within the criminal justice system. He initially requested to testify virtually, citing safety concerns. The committee noted that a similar request made by private forensic investigator Mr Paul O’Sullivan had previously been rejected.
Committee Secretary Mr Vhonani Ramaano briefed committee members on developments, stating that Mr Mogotsi had refused to provide his identity number required for flight bookings unless Parliament agreed to cover the costs of his private security detail for seven days. Mr Ramaano further informed the committee that Parliamentary Protection Services had offered to escort Mr Mogotsi from the airport upon his arrival in Cape Town, an offer that Mr Mogotsi declined.
This refusal prompted robust debate among Members of Parliament. The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane, expressed strong dissatisfaction with Mr Mogotsi’s stance, describing his demands as “ridiculous and unacceptable”.
“He wants his own private security and expects Parliament to pay for it for seven days. We cannot accommodate such demands. Parliament cannot provide the kind of protection he is requesting,” said Mr Lekganyane.
Parliamentary Legal Advisor Mr Andile Tetyana clarified the committee’s legal position regarding the summoning of witnesses, saying that the Speaker of the National Assembly holds the authority to issue subpoenas. He noted that the Speaker is expected to decide on the matter within the next two days.
Committee member Mr Sibonelo Nomvalo urged that the matter should not be prolonged. “The legal team should subpoena him immediately. We cannot allow Mr Mogotsi to undermine the authority of this committee,” he said.
Mr Nomvalo also criticised the update provided regarding Mr O’Sullivan, which he described as vague and lacking sufficient detail. He called for clarity on when correspondence had been sent to the Speaker and what response, if any, had been received.
Members were unanimous that both Mr Mogotsi and Mr O’Sullivan must be summoned to appear before the committee.
During the same sitting, the committee also heard testimony from Mr Tiyani Lincoln Hlungwani, a former SAPS brigadier who previously served as Section Head of Finance and Administration Services within the Crime Intelligence Division’s Secret Service Account, commonly referred to as the “slush fund”.
Mr Hlungwani told the committee that his submission aimed to expose alleged abuse of state resources, corruption, interference in intelligence operations, judicial misconduct and attempts to unlawfully capture the SAPS Crime Intelligence Division through irregular and corrupt appointments. He further alleged that former SAPS officials sought to use funds from the Secret Service Account to acquire a surveillance “grabber” device and to finance a faction at the African National Congress conference in Nasrec.
The committee will continue today to engage with Mr Hlungwani as it continues its work to probe allegations of corruption, political interference and criminal infiltration within the criminal justice system.
Rajaa Azzakani
29 January 2026
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