Controversial North West businessman Brown Mogotsi has denied allegations that he was involved in a plan to escape from custody, insisting that claims about a “uniform ready” for his alleged getaway were unsupported.
Mogotsi, 45, made the denial as he continued with his fourth application for bail in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The latest bail bid comes after investigators opposed his release and told the court that they had received information suggesting Mogotsi was planning to escape while in custody.
Mogotsi has rejected the allegation and questioned why he had not been charged with attempting or conspiring to escape if investigators had evidence of such a plan.
Brown Mogotsi Challenges Alleged Escape Plan
Through his latest bail affidavit, Mogotsi addressed the reasons his previous bail applications had been unsuccessful and disputed several allegations raised by the State.
His lawyer, Advocate Nthabiseng Mahomane, told the court that Mogotsi had never made arrangements to disguise himself as a correctional official or leave the court cells while wearing a uniform.
“I have never planned an escape from court, nor have I ever made any arrangements to disguise myself as a correctional official or to leave the court cells while disguised as such. I came forward with new bail facts.”
Mahomane also questioned the evidence supporting the alleged escape plan, saying investigators had verified two addresses provided by Mogotsi.
She said the investigating officer visited and verified an address in Johannesburg on 17 August 2026 and checked another address in North West two days later, including confirming details with the leasing agent.
“Fully aware that the addresses were positive, the investigating officer then comes with these unsubstantiated allegations.”
The defence argued that searches conducted at the correctional facility also failed to uncover evidence supporting the alleged escape plot.
“There was a search on the 18th of August, 2026, two days before my court date, and on the 23rd of August, 2026, which was also conducted two days before my court date.”
According to Mogotsi, no correctional officer’s uniform was found in his possession.
“I was never found in possession of a uniform in court or in the cells.”
Mogotsi Questions Security Measures
Mogotsi also told the court that he did not remember receiving any additional surveillance beyond the security measures normally applied to prisoners attending court.
He said that if authorities genuinely believed he posed an escape risk, he would have expected heightened security arrangements.
“Special arrangements are made when there are attempts to escape. The prisoner would be escorted by the TRT unit from the South African Police Service.”
Mogotsi said no such escort was present when he appeared in court on 20 August.
He also raised questions about being placed in leg restraints on that date.
“I, however, question that if this alleged escape plan was true and reported, I would have been charged with conspiracies or an attempt to escape.”
The businessman said the alleged escape claims resembled other allegations previously made against him, which his defence maintains were not supported by sufficient evidence.
“These allegations are very similar to the bribery allegations, as well as the intimidation allegations, which were baseless and lacked sufficient evidence,” his lawyer said.
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Mogotsi further pointed out that the security measures allegedly imposed on him were not consistently applied.
He said his legs were chained on 20 August but not when he appeared in court on 25 August.
“If there was this alleged attempt, the same measures were not put in place on the 25th, which leads me to believe that there was no such threat.”
‘There Was No Uniform Ready’
The defence also challenged the specific allegation that a correctional services uniform had been prepared for Mogotsi.
“It does not say who had the uniform ready or how exactly this plan was to be executed once at court.”
The allegation emerged during previous proceedings when the court heard that correctional authorities had allegedly intercepted information about a possible attempt to assist Mogotsi in escaping from custody.
The matter was subsequently postponed to allow the Department of Correctional Services to prepare a detailed report concerning the alleged escape plot.
Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole confirmed that the proceedings had been postponed to Tuesday for the report to be prepared and submitted.
During the earlier proceedings, the State placed an affidavit by the investigating officer before the court.
The officer reportedly stated that he had been alerted by a correctional services official about an alleged plan involving Mogotsi.
According to the affidavit, correctional authorities then took steps to prevent the alleged escape.
Mogotsi is facing several charges arising from an incident reported on 3 November 2025.
The State alleges that he told police he had been driving alone in Vosloorus when occupants of a bakkie chased him and fired shots at his vehicle.
He allegedly told investigators that he was forced to stop before the occupants ran away.
However, investigators allege that Mogotsi himself fired 11 rounds at his vehicle, with 11 spent cartridges subsequently recovered at the scene.
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He faces charges including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, defeating or obstructing the administration of justice and perjury.
The fourth bail application remains before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
