Drama of a 'hit' gone wrong

Not long ago, Brown Mogotsi - he who survived a funny assassination attempt recently - was known in his own circles and in parts of his North West home province.

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But in July, he became an overnight sensation and is now known even by my six-year-old son as an infamous character loathed by South Africans.

Mogotsi is said to have facilitated payments to political figures and shared sensitive police information with criminal figures.

The businessman, from Seweding village outside Mahikeng, is said to have been so powerful that he would summon North West MECS for instructions on tenders.

A popular allegation is that the MECs would be summoned to his chesa nyama, buy-and-braai joint in Mafikeng for orders.

Through his influential Brown Mogotsi Foundation, he was also a thorn in then premier Supra Mahumapelo's administration.

That included a 2023 case in which the foundation filed an application to interdict a R1 billion catering tender for North West health facilities, citing a need to prevent an irregular process in the public interest. This caused disruptions and financial implications for the provincial department of health.