North West businessman Oupa “Brown” Mogotsi has made sensational claims before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday, that Zulu King Misuzulu and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi were suspected by some of having ties to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
He, however, admitted these allegations were hearsay.
He said both men had spent time in the US and were allegedly recruited to “protect Western interests”.
Brown further claimed that Nhlanhla used the political killings task team to intimidate royal family members aligned with Prince Phakade, and that cases opened against him and the unit were never investigated due to his alleged interference.
Brown — a former uMkhonto weSizwe counter-intelligence member and long-time police informant and co-agent — is accused of acting as a conduit between Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who allegedly donated R500,000 toward Senzo’s ANC presidential ambitions.
In his testimony, he outlined his background in intelligence work, explaining how co-agents create false identities, gather information, and report to handlers.
Watch below (courtesy of SABC News)
He also detailed his 2020 assignment from the late deputy police commissioner Sindile Mfazi to investigate irregularities in Crime Intelligence, including inflated informant claims and misuse of cash payouts. He noted that Sindile’s death is now being probed as a suspected poisoning.
Mogotsi further testified that in 2023, during tensions involving Israeli-linked mining interests in Richards Bay, one of his sources speculated — without evidence — that both Nhlanhla and King Misuzulu were aligned with CIA interests.
He claimed their alleged role was to “protect Western interests,” accusing Nhlanhla of using the political killings task team to intimidate royal family members aligned with Prince Phakade, and said related cases were never investigated due to Nhlanhla’s interference.
First published by African Insider
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
Also see: Brown Mogotsi set to testify at Madlanga Commission
