Mogotsi denies existence of ‘Big Five’ criminal cartel, disputes Mkhwanazi’s testimony

Controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi has dismissed allegations of a powerful criminal cartel known as the “Big Five”, telling the commission that no such syndicate exists.

Mogotsi, who has been linked to suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu, used his testimony to also dispute Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s claims about him, arguing that the conclusions drawn were based on “incomplete information”.

He said Mkhwanazi could not have known that he was, at all relevant times, operating as a contact agent on behalf of the state, with instructions to investigate both Mkhwanazi and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

According to him, the perceptions Mkhwanazi formed were deliberately created as part of an intelligence strategy.

“Mkhwanazi could not and did not know that I was a contact agent acting on behalf of the state with tasks to investigate both him and Matlala. The perception he referred to was exactly the outcome I wanted to create to gain his trust and get closer to him to investigate his ties with the CIA,” he said.

Mogotsi added that his handlers were fully aware of his conduct and that his access to sensitive SAPS and Crime Intelligence information stemmed from his intelligence work and extensive network of informers.

Mogotsi also said that during his investigation into Matlala, he travelled to KwaZulu-Natal in April 2025 after Matlala claimed he was meeting someone who could “solve all his problems” related to the tender.

Mogotsi testified that he relied on a Durban-based informant and Uber driver to monitor Matlala’s arrival at King Shaka International Airport.

He said he did not know who Matlala met. Months later, he alleged, Matlala phoned him from prison and claimed he had gone to Mkhwanazi’s home and given him money.

“Matlala said, ‘I went to see General Mkhwanazi’s house and I also gave him something.’ He was talking about money,” Mogotsi said.

Mogotsi said he continued investigating Mkhwanazi even after the general mentioned him by name in a July media briefing, despite his handler disapproving.

He also testified that in August 2025 he contacted the late ambassador Nathi Mthethwa seeking clarity on why Mkhwanazi was removed as acting national commissioner in 2012. Mogotsi said he raised concerns that Mkhwanazi was “a CIA operative” and claimed Mthethwa shared the suspicion.

According to him, Mthethwa advised him to travel to Kenya to meet a contact aware of alleged CIA operations in South Africa. Mogotsi travelled to Nairobi on 10 September 2025 and returned two days later, saying the agent there told him his intelligence “could be correct”.