‘We are in two different worlds’: Brown Mogotsi on his undercover life

Oupa Brown Mogotsi during his Madlanga Commission appearance in November 2025. Picture: Gallo Images Police informants and agents of crime intelligence operate in areas where sharing the wrong information can cost lives. Oupa Brown Mogotsi made this assertion as he appeared before parliament’s ad hoc committee on police corruption; challenging members on their assumptions about the inner workings of police work.

Although speaking under oath, Mogotsi’s testimony was disputed, as members and evidence leaders questioned his inability to provide any assurances other than his word. As he did at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Mogotsi made claims about being an operative of crime intelligence and accused the Zulu royal family of having ties to the CIA. He also asserted that KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi kept his relationship with Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala secret.

Dressed in black shirt with a white suit jacket with broad black lapels, Mogotsi was calm as he opened by explaining he was primarily a businessman who owned several liquor outlets, a meat supplier and a catering outlet. I deal only with private companies,” Mogotsi said. He then reiterated that he had been involved with crime intelligence from 1999 to date, as either an informant or contact agent.

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Explaining the difference, Mogotsi said informants could be arrested suspects whose intelligence leads to credible leads and further arrests, while agents have “a relationship with a handler” formed after being recruited. Mogotsi boasted that through his handler he was able to get operations approved through Section 252A forms that allowed him to contact dubious businesses. Section 252A of the South African Criminal Procedure Act guides undercover operations and the exemption of criminal liability when conducting investigations.

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