The ANC distances itself from Brown Mokgotsi, vows to take action against any of its members involved in corruption

Mapaballo Borotho

The ANC has distanced itself from Brown Mokgotsi, saying his party membership has expired.
Mokgotsi’s name surfaced repeatedly at the Madlanga Commission, where evidence showed he used ANC ties to solicit money from alleged criminal figures.
The ANC vowed to act against any members involved in corruption, stressing that such actions betray the movement’s principles.

The African National Congress (ANC) has distanced itself from an alleged criminal whose name came up frequently at the Madlanga Commission, Brown Mokgotsi.

The party, which holds a majority in the Government of National Unity (GNU), said Mokgotsi’s ANC membership had expired and that he is no longer a member of the party.

“The African National Congress has noted recent allegations that certain individuals, including Oupa Brown Mokgotsi, are alleged to be involved in serious organised criminal activities. Mr Mokgotsi’s ANC membership expired. We can now confirm that he is not an ANC member,” the party’s national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said in a statement.

Mokgotsi’s name was repeatedly mentioned at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The SAPS Crime Intelligence boss, General Dumisani Khumalo, revealed a series of WhatsApp messages showing how Mokgotsi used his ties to the ANC to solicit money from alleged criminal masterminds for his own benefit.

It was further revealed that some of the funds were used to finance activities related to the party, which has been in charge of South Africa for nearly three decades.

Among the claims presented at the commission was that businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala paid hundreds of thousands of rand to Mokgotsi in exchange for protection and access to private SAPS documents.

Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said these allegations corrode the values for which thousands of South Africans sacrificed in the struggle for freedom.

“The ANC will not allow its name to be associated with those who betray the principles of our movement for personal gain,” she added.

She also stated that the party will take action against any of its members found to be implicated in criminal activities.