Did Minister Senzo Mchunu lie in parliament about knowing Brown Mogotsi?

by Nomonde Simelane

As citizens try to make sense of the allegations made against Minister Senzo Mchunu, he has seemingly dug himself a deeper grave.

This is as he now faces perjury allegations after confirming Brown Mogotsi as an associate, months after denying knowing him in parliament.

The Police Minister has quickly become one of South Africa’s biggest villains following some shocking revelations and accusations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

During a press briefing, the Lieutenant accused him of various crimes, including being involved in a drug syndicate that operates around the country.

Among a few other explosive accusations, General Mkhwanazi introduced a character by the name of Brown Mogotsi. He revealed that Mogotsi is a businessman from the North West province who has close ties to the Police Minister and has been meddling in police operations.

According to Mkhwanazi, Mogotsi is the one who called him and let him know that he is the Police Minister’s close associate when he attempted to accompany Mchunu to Lusikisiki following a mass shooting.

In efforts to clear his name, the Minister recently took to his official social media accounts to issue a statement where he admitted to knowing Brown Mogotsi merely as a comrade, as opposed to an associate, as alleged by KZN’s Police Commissioner.

Instead of quietening the noise around him, this admittance seems to have tightened the noose around his neck. The public vividly remembers him blatantly denying knowing Brown Mogotsi in parliament earlier this year.

As a result, some political parties, including the Democratic Alliance, have expressed plans to take action regarding the matter, including laying criminal charges of perjury against him.

“The DA Deputy Chief Whip, Baxolile Nodada, Spokesperson on Intelligence, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, and DA Deputy Spokesperson on Police, Lisa Schickerling, will lay charges and will address media,” their website reads.

Also see: Fighters remember Malema recommending Mkhwanazi for National Police Commissioner