A fitting non-glitzy party

It is quite ironic that the ANC' annual January 8th celebration was held in the North West, the province which gave the country one Brown Mogotsi.

- Sydney Majoko

Mogotsi became a known figure in SA politics following the explosive 6 July press conference held by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The controversial North West businessman was painted as a behind-the-scenes "fixer" who had access to suspended minister of police Senzo Mchunu, highly-placed political figures like ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

When the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations of criminal and political interference in the police and judiciary, Mogotsi emerged as one who would "tell all".

His appearance at the commission was a cringe fest that ended up with him admitting to commission head justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga he had no option but to lie under oath.

One of the main allegations put to him was that he had sourced money from Matlala for flights and accommodation to a January 8th celebration in Cape Town for eight individuals.