Mchunu only knows Mogotsi as comrade, denies links to Matlala

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu occasionally  talks to North West businessman, Brown Mogotsi about "this and that”,  he confirmed when testifying before the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations of corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system

He denied knowing or ever meeting attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Mchunu said he had known Mogotsi since 2017 as a comrade.

“I have never asked him if he is married or not. I have never gone to his home. I have never watched soccer with him, and I have never inquired about his personal life because we just occasionally talk about this and that,” he said.

Earlier, Mchunu sought to clarify his statement he made about Mogotsi at the meeting of the Police Portfolio Committee on March 5.

It was the same meeting KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, told him that he is a very close associate of Mogotsi.

The minister said he had been asked if he wished to comment and had stated that he was approached by somebody who claimed someone was going around claiming to know him.

Mchunu said he did not mention who the person was, but was merely relating a story.

He said the person he denied knowing was not Mogotsi. “There is no way I could have lied there.”

Mchunu added that he had mentioned that someone was going around claiming to be his younger brother.

“I don’t have a younger (brother) because he perished in 2005,” he said.

He added that he cautioned the portfolio committee to be circumspect when names were dropped and that he had stated that Mogotsi was his comrade, contrary to Mkhwanazi’s claim that he was his associate.

Mchunu also said that when Mkhwanazi addressed a media briefing on July 6, he was twisting his words to fit his narrative that he did not know Mogotsi.

Mchunu said he never met Matlala alone or in the company of Mogotsi or any capacity.

“He is not somebody I have spoken to directly. I don’t know him.”

The minister said he only heard about Matlala in December when National Commissioner Fannie Masemola informed him about the health services tender he was awarded in the SAPS.

Asked about how he obtained an affidavit from Matlala that deposed in September while at C-Max prison, Mchunu said he got it from his lawyers.

“They said they had a chat with Matlala’s lawyers in their own time and own way. They said they received it from Matlala’s lawyers,” he said, adding that his lawyers gave him the affidavit about two days ago.

“I am not fooling you or playing games. I have never met Matlala. I have never seen him with my naked eye.”

However, chief evidence leader Norman Arendse said a witness will testify that Mchunu has a business relationship with Matlala, that he was funding his campaign for ANC presidency, and made a contribution to his son.

“I have no knowledge of such,” he said.

Cape Times