The State has dropped an explosive allegation against self-proclaimed political fixer Brown Mogotsi, claiming he planned to escape from the court cells disguised as a correctional services official.

The allegation emerged on Tuesday as prosecutors opposed Mogotsi’s fourth attempt to secure bail in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court.

The State told the court that Mogotsi allegedly planned to escape on 20 August, when he appeared for pre-trial proceedings.

According to the prosecution, Mogotsi intended to disguise himself as a correctional services official and use the disguise to make his escape from the court cells.

An investigating officer was allegedly alerted to the plan and later saw Mogotsi in court wearing leg irons.

The State argued that the alleged escape plan raised serious concerns about whether Mogotsi could be trusted to remain in the country and attend his trial if released on bail.

Prosecutors also raised concerns that Mogotsi could interfere with witnesses if he was granted his freedom.

The allegations add another layer to Mogotsi’s long-running battle to secure his release from custody.

Mogotsi is facing charges including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, perjury and defeating the ends of justice.

The charges stem from an alleged staged shooting incident in Vosloorus in November 2025.

The State has previously alleged that Mogotsi staged an assassination attempt against himself, claiming that he fired shots at his vehicle and later reported that he had been attacked.

Mogotsi has denied the allegations and maintains his innocence.

His fourth bail application is being brought on the basis of what his defence describes as new facts.

A central issue in the previous bail proceedings was Mogotsi’s residential address.

In a fresh affidavit, Mogotsi and his wife claimed that their previous lease agreement had been signed with a person who falsely presented himself as the legitimate owner of the property.

This allegedly resulted in police being unable to verify the address provided as part of his bail application.

Mogotsi told the court that his wife had since secured a new property after entering into a lease agreement with the legitimate owner.

The defence argues that the new address addresses the concerns that contributed to the previous refusal of bail.

The State, however, remains opposed to his release.

Prosecutors have previously argued that Mogotsi poses a flight risk and that there are concerns about his possible interference with witnesses and the investigation.

His previous attempts to secure bail have failed, including an appeal to the Johannesburg High Court.

Mogotsi’s continued detention means his legal team is once again trying to persuade the court that circumstances have changed sufficiently to justify his release.

But the latest escape allegation could make that argument considerably more difficult.

The State’s case is that someone who allegedly contemplated disguising himself as a correctional official to escape from court cannot easily be trusted to comply with bail conditions.

The defence is expected to challenge the State’s version and argue that the allegation must be tested against the evidence rather than treated as established fact.

The matter was postponed to 1 September 2026.

Mogotsi remains in custody.

The allegations against him have not been tested in a criminal trial. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.