MCHUNU ALLIES GRILLED AT PARLY, MADLANGA

Chief of Staff tells of how minister wanted Mogotsi in meeting over illegal mine tragedy

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA and RAPULA MOATSHE

SENZO Mchunu's chief of staff Cedrick Nkabinde is still in the dark about why his boss specifically wanted controversial North West and ANC-aligned businessman Brown Mogotsi to brief him on the a crisis of illegal miners at Stilfontein.

Continuing his testimony at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Nkabinde said Mchunu had, on August 24, 2024, instructed him to make arrangements for him to go and visit Stilfontein.

The South African government, in particular the police, were under scrutiny over the deaths of about 78 illegal miners trapped in an abandoned mine at Stillfontein last year.

Nkabinde said he only met Mogotsi once when he facilitated the meeting on behalf of Mchunu, who has since been placed on enforced leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa in light of Mkhwanazi's allegations.

"It was at this meeting that the minister provided me with contact details of Mr Mogotsi from North West. The minister instructed that I should contact Mr Mogotsi and ask him to come with local leaders to brief him on the situation before his visit," he said.