The criminal case against alleged political fixer Oupa Brown Mogotsi has been postponed to 20 August after the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court dismissed an application by the defence seeking further particulars from the State, including the identities and residential addresses of witnesses expected to testify.

The court ruled on Monday that the names and addresses of witnesses would remain confidential, citing security concerns raised by the prosecution.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the postponement is for pre-trial proceedings after the court found that the State had already complied with its disclosure obligations.

“The postponement follows the court’s dismissal of the defence’s application requesting the State to provide further particulars. The court found that the State had already furnished the defence with the full contents of the docket and had complied with its disclosure obligations,” said NPA Gauteng Division Johannesburg spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole.

During proceedings, the State opposed the defence’s application for the full names, residential addresses and personal details of witnesses who are expected to testify during the trial.

Prosecutors argued that witness protection had become a concern after details of a witness were previously disclosed during Mogotsi’s bail proceedings, after which the witness was allegedly approached. The State submitted that revealing the identities and addresses of additional witnesses could place them at risk.

The magistrate accepted the State’s argument and ordered that the identities and residential addresses of witnesses remain confidential.

Mogotsi’s legal team argued that the defence was entitled to the full details of witnesses to adequately prepare for trial.

His lawyer, William Sekgatja, also complained that they had only received six of the 10 requested witness statements on Monday morning, with some statements containing redactions removing the names and personal details of witnesses.

The defence argued that the late disclosure prevented them from properly preparing for trial and meaningfully consulting with Mogotsi, who remains in custody, despite the State indicating it was ready to proceed.

Speaking outside court, Mogotsi’s attorney, Sekgatja, criticised the prosecution’s approach to the matter.

“No one was murdered,” Sekgatja said.

“The allegations he’s facing are that it’s a crime against a vehicle.”

The case was postponed to 20 August for further pre-trial proceedings.

Mogotsi, 45, faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, discharging a firearm in a built-up area, defeating or obstructing the administration of justice and perjury.

The charges relate to an incident on 3 November 2025 in Vosloorus in Gauteng’s Ekurhuleni.

According to the NPA, Mogotsi allegedly reported to police that while driving alone in Vosloorus, he was pursued by occupants of a bakkie who fired several shots at his vehicle, forcing him to stop before fleeing on foot.

The State alleges that the report was false and that the firearm was intentionally discharged to create the impression that an attempt had been made on his life.

During previous court proceedings, prosecutors said witness statements, CCTV footage and forensic evidence contradicted Mogotsi’s version of events.

The State previously alleged that eyewitnesses saw Mogotsi stop his vehicle before allegedly firing shots at it himself. Prosecutors also told the court that CCTV footage from the area did not show any other vehicles following him at the time of the alleged attack.

Mogotsi has remained behind bars since his arrest in May after two unsuccessful attempts to secure bail.

His first bail application was refused by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. A second application based on alleged new facts was also dismissed after the court found that no new evidence had been presented to justify his release.

The court previously accepted the State’s argument that Mogotsi posed a potential flight risk and also found shortcomings in the residential address presented by the defence.

The defence has consistently maintained that Mogotsi is innocent of all charges and has indicated it intends challenging the State’s case during trial.

Earlier proceedings have heard Sekgatja insist that his client did not stage the shooting and wanted the allegations tested in court.

Monday’s hearing focused on procedural issues surrounding disclosure of the docket rather than the merits of the criminal case.

The NPA said it remains committed to ensuring that the prosecution proceeds in accordance with the law.

“The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed to ensuring that the matter is prosecuted fairly, impartially, and in accordance with the law,” said Mohlatlole.

With the matter postponed to 20 August, the court is expected to continue dealing with outstanding pre-trial issues before setting the matter down for trial.

Mogotsi remains in custody pending his next court appearance.