South Africa's parliament resolved on Thursday to subpoena North West businessman Brown Mogotsi after he refused to appear before an ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system, demanding instead that lawmakers fund his private security for seven days.
The decision underscores the committee's struggle to compel key witnesses to testify as it nears its 20 February deadline, with half of expected witnesses failing to appear at recent hearings.
Mogotsi, who has previously testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, rejected Parliament's protection services and insisted the legislature cover the cost of his own security detail for a week. Committee chairperson Molapi Soviet Lekganyane said the demands were unacceptable.
Committee secretary Vhonani Ramaano told lawmakers that parliamentary protection services had offered Mogotsi escorts upon arrival in Cape Town. The businessman rejected the arrangement, saying he did not want protection from people he did not know.
Ramaano said Mogotsi had also refused to provide personal details needed to arrange flights and accommodation.
MK Party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo called for immediate legal action. All committee members, including himself, had accepted parliamentary security despite not knowing the officers personally, he noted.
The committee is also awaiting a decision from Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza on whether to summon forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan, who has refused to appear in person. O'Sullivan, who is abroad, wrote to the committee on Thursday offering to testify at a South African embassy rather than in Cape Town. The committee resolved to subpoena him to compel physical appearance.
MK Party MP David Skosana raised concerns about the committee's credibility, noting that only half of expected witnesses had appeared at recent hearings. Fellow party member Vusi Shongwe questioned why Mogotsi, who had not previously expressed such fears publicly, was now claiming imminent danger.
The ad hoc committee was established following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July 2025. Mkhwanazi accused Mogotsi, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and suspended Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya of links to criminal syndicates.
The committee is operating under its second and final extension, with hearings expected to conclude by 6 February to allow time for drafting a final report. In the absence of Mogotsi's appearance, lawmakers agreed to use Friday's session for public submissions.
