Mchunu was recently placed on immediate “leave of absence” by President Cyril Ramaphosa following allegations that linked him to organised crime groups. In the wake of this development, Mbalula made public statements claiming businessman Brown Mokgotsi’s ANC membership had expired – a claim Mokgotsi strongly refutes.

Last week, Mbalula told journalists Mokgotsi was no longer a member of the ruling party. His claim was echoed by ANC North West provincial secretary Louis Diremelo, who asserted Mokgotsi’s membership had expired.

Membership has expired 

“We can confirm Brown Mokgotsi was a member of the ANC until 2020. His membership expired in 2020, and the ANC recruitment policies state once your membership has expired, you must renew it within a period of one year. 

“If that membership is not renewed within a period of one year, you cease to be a member of the ANC. Therefore, we can confirm right here and now that Mr Brown Mokgotsi is not a member of the ANC.”

Diremelo further dismissed allegations Mokgotsi had solicited funds from another controversial businessman, Vusimuzi (Cat) Matlala, to pay for ANC regional memberships, stating if Mokgotsi was indeed doing that, he was scamming people.

He said the ANC in North West had never engaged with Mokgotsi, while his attempts to communicate with them were never entertained.

In an interview with SABC News, Mokgotsi offered a fiery rebuttal, insisting his ANC membership is valid until the end of October and his branch is aware of this. He accused Mbalula of leveraging his name in a wider political agenda targeting Mchunu.

‘Leaders are produced by ANC’

“I’m from Mafikeng, the street away from my house, (housed) the first secretary-general of the ANC, his house is there. It is not the first time I have known a secretary-general. 

“Fikile Mbalula – this is the African National Congress, not the Mbalula National Congress. The leaders of this organisation are produced by the ANC, not vice versa – whether it's Luthuli, O.R. Tambo, or Mbalula himself.”

Mokgotsi detailed his contributions to the ANC, particularly around major events such as the ANC’s annual 8 January Statement function, held to commemorate the founding of the organisation. He claims, like other businessmen, he volunteered to assist with aspects like transport and accommodation. 

He also said while other ANC national leaders used one boat to travel from Cape Town to Robben Island, Mbalula opted to travel alone with a luxury boat owned by a foreign company.

Mokgotsi claimed Mbalula maintained ties with Vusi (Khekhe) Mathibela, a feared taxi boss convicted of the murder of businessman Wandile Boswana.

“It was also shown he (Mbalula) was with Vusi Khekhe two days before Wandile Boswana was murdered. I know Boswana’s family. You know, with our interaction, they showed me some proof that actually, Boswana gave Fikile Mbalula R1 million, and he promised to pay it back. Today, the money is not paid.”

‘Do we have to label him?’

Mokgotsi questioned the fairness of targeting individuals like Mchunu for alleged criminal ties, while Mbalula’s own associations go unchecked.

“Do we have to label him (Mbalula)? Do we have to tell him you can’t be a member of the ANC? The same applies to his wife in the Free State. She was involved in a housing scandal where Fikile is a direct beneficiary because he’s her husband. Do we have to say, no, you can’t be secretary-general because you are involved and your wife is now implicated?”

Mokgotsi linked the recent accusations against Mchunu and himself to internal contestation for the ANC’s 2027 elective conference, claiming the Mchunu saga is not about justice but factional power plays.

‘Target is Senzo Mchunu’

“He’s using the name Brown Mokgotsi to actually attack his target, and that target is Senzo Mchunu.”

He pointed to the formation of the Madlanga Commission and the parliamentary ad-hoc committee, both of which are investigating political interference and criminality within the state’s justice system. Mokgotsi said he is willing to appear before both bodies to testify and clear his name.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg