The State has alleged that controversial businessman and self-proclaimed political fixer Brown Mogotsi planned a daring escape from court by disguising himself as a correctional services official and simply walking out of the court cells.
But according to an affidavit presented during his fourth attempt to secure bail at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, the alleged plan was uncovered before it could be carried out – triggering heightened security, surveillance and the use of leg irons when Mogotsi was transported to court.
The alleged escape plot has now added a dramatic new layer to the case against Mogotsi, with prosecutors arguing that it strengthens their contention that he remains a serious flight risk.
The alleged plan to walk out in uniform
According to investigating officer Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Odendaal, police received information on the morning of 20 August that Mogotsi was allegedly planning to escape from court.
Odendaal said he received a call at about 7.29am from Colonel David Masenya of the Johannesburg Correctional Services Centre, who informed him of the alleged plan.
The State alleges that Mogotsi intended to disguise himself in a Correctional Services uniform and walk out of the court holding cells.
Instead of an elaborate prison break involving force, the alleged plan appears to have relied on disguise and deception – with Mogotsi allegedly hoping that the uniform would allow him to blend in with correctional officials and leave unnoticed.
How the alleged plot was uncovered
The alleged escape attempt was reportedly foiled after the information reached authorities before Mogotsi could put the plan into action.
Odendaal said surveillance was arranged at the court and the information was shared with officials responsible for escorting Mogotsi.
The head of Medium B at the Johannesburg Correctional Services Centre was also informed, resulting in additional security measures being ordered.
When Mogotsi was transported to court, he was allegedly removed from the vehicle and placed in leg irons as an added precaution. The officers escorting him were also warned about the alleged plan.
The State’s affidavit suggests that the alleged operation was effectively shut down before Mogotsi could get anywhere near a potential escape route.
State says the alleged plot proves he is a flight risk
The State is opposing Mogotsi’s latest bail application and has seized on the alleged escape plan as further evidence that he could abscond if released.
Prosecutors have also raised questions about Mogotsi’s residential arrangements after new addresses in Johannesburg and Mahikeng were presented during the latest proceedings.
Mogotsi and his wife have claimed that a previous lease agreement was entered into with a person who only purported to own the property, leaving investigators unable to verify the address. A new address was subsequently secured, according to his latest affidavit.
The investigating officer has argued that Mogotsi’s ability to change residences and access accommodation reinforces the State’s concerns that he has the means and ability to flee.
The State has also previously argued that he could interfere with witnesses if released, with the court having kept the identities and addresses of certain State witnesses confidential because of safety concerns.
A fourth attempt at bail
Mogotsi’s latest appearance marked his fourth attempt to secure release on bail after three previous bids failed.
His legal team is relying on what it describes as new and material facts, while the State maintains that there is still no basis to release him.
The alleged escape plan has therefore landed at the centre of the latest bail battle, potentially making an already difficult application even harder for Mogotsi.
The allegations against Mogotsi
Mogotsi remains in custody over charges linked to what the State alleges was a staged assassination attempt in Vosloorus in November 2025.
He faces Schedule 5 charges including perjury, defeating the ends of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm in a public place and attempting to bribe an investigating officer.
The State alleges that Mogotsi fired 11 rounds at his own vehicle before falsely reporting that unknown gunmen had ambushed him.
Investigators allegedly recovered 11 spent cartridges, while ballistic evidence and CCTV footage are said to contradict Mogotsi’s version of events. Prosecutors contend that the vehicle was stationary and that nobody was inside it when it was shot.
Mogotsi has not been convicted of the charges and remains an accused person.
Back in court next week
The latest bail proceedings were postponed to 1 September 2026, when Mogotsi is expected to return to the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court as his fourth bail application continues.
For now, he remains behind bars – with the State’s allegations of an attempted escape adding yet another obstacle to his fight for freedom.
