Johannesburg – The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West has confirmed that controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi is no longer a member of the party.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula announced during a recent press briefing that Mogotsi was “not a member” of the party, but the North West businessman later insisted that his membership was still active.
Mogotsi defiantly stated in a SABC interview on Monday, 6 October 2025, that he remains a member of the ANC in good standing.
Dismissing Mbalula’s stance as unwarranted overreach, Mogotsi said only his local branch could revoke his membership in the ANC.
The ANC, however, maintains that Mogotsi’s membership expired and distances itself from him due to alleged ties to criminal activities.
The Bulrushes has since reached out to the ANC in the North West to verify the status of Mogotsi’s membership, and the party confirmed that the businessman was no longer a member.
ANC North West Spokesperson Tumelo Maruping explained that Mogotsi was a member of Ward 16, Mahikeng sub-region, until his membership expired in 2021.
Asked if Mogotsi renewed his membership of the ANC, Maruping responded: “He’s currently claiming to have renewed it… There’s nothing like renewal of membership when it has already expired.
“You actually join as a new member, and there’s a probation period before you get to be accepted as a member.”
Maruping backed Mbalula’s statement that Mogotsi was not a member of the ANC.
Mogotsi, an alleged associate of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, has been accused of multiple criminal links primarily stemming from testimony at the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has implicated Mogotsi in interfering with high-profile police investigations, leaking classified police documents, and coordinating with criminal syndicates, including ties to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Tender tycoon Matlala was arrested and remains detained for the attempted murder of his former socialite girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, famed as an entrepreneur, producer, podcaster, and actress.
Matlala has also been linked to drug cartels, political assassinations, and a dodgy R360 million SA Police Service tender.
WhatsApp messages presented at the Madlanga Commission show Mogotsi allegedly soliciting payments from Matlala for access to police intelligence, tender protection, and influencing investigations, such as disbanding the Political Killings Task Team to shield syndicates involved in murders of artists and politicians.
Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo testified that Mogotsi used his ties to the ANC to fundraise from criminals, including for party events and now suspended Minister Mchunu, while meddling in probes and attempting to infiltrate the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
During the SABC interview, Mogotsi, who denied any wrongdoing, rejected the allegations as false and promised to debunk them when he appears before the Madlanga Commission.
