Brown Mogotsi wants South African taxpayers to pay for his security.
Mogotsi, who was set to appear before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee on Thursday. However, he refused to give Parliament's secretary his details, demanding that Parliament foot the bill for his security for seven days.
While Parliament offered Mogotsi its Protection Services escort, he refused, saying he wanted his own personal security to be used.
Mogotsi’s non-appearance took centre stage in Parliament on Wednesday, where MPs unanimously agreed to subpoena the political fixer.
Parliament has also moved to subpoena Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, who was scheduled to appear last week, but he refused to appear in person.
READ: Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee to subpoena Brown Mogotsi
O'Sullivan is citing security reasons for not wanting to testify in person and has requested to do so virtually from Ireland.
While initially denying knowledge of Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Head, Brig. Lesetja Senona conceded that the two were good friends.
Initially, Senona said Matlala shared a surname with his wife, and that was how he knew him. He refused to give the Madlanga Commission further details on their relationship.
READ: Senona denies helping Matlala secure multimillion-rand SAPS tender
He later did a U-turn and said he considered Matlala a younger brother.
When asked whether he knew anything about the Big 5 cartel, he responded that he knew of the Big 5 animals instead.
READ: KZN Hawks head denies 'Big 5 cartel' links, says he only knows Big 5 animals
Testimonies from Witness X and suspended Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo linked Senona to alleged crime boss Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, whose name has featured prominently at the commission probing allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.
READ: LIVESTREAM | Senona continues testimony at Madlanga Commission
Senona has also been accused of leaking confidential information, which he denies. He also denied helping Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala secure a multimillion-rand SAPS tender.
READ: Senona ordered to disclose name in Mkhwanazi's WhatsApp text despite safety claims
The assassination of Gauteng Health Department corruption whistle-blower Babita Deokaran came under the spotlight at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday.
READ: Babita Deokaran |KZN Hawks boss 'didn't know' of Matlala's alleged links to hit
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago has announced that the repo rate will remain unchanged.
The repo rate, therefore, remains at 6.75%.
This is despite many expecting it to drop by at least 25 basis points.
READ: LIVESTREAM: SA Reserve Bank to deliver first repo rate decision of 2026
Inflation remains contained while the rand has been trading at its strongest levels in years. Indebted South Africans have enjoyed a series of cuts since September 2024.
March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma handed herself over at the Point Police Station in South Beach, eThekwinin on Tuesday.
Ngobese-Zuma is accused of inciting public violence against undocumented foreign nationals.
READ: March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma hands herself over to police
Her organisation has held protests outside Addington Primary School, demanding that South African children be prioritised in admissions.
Parents and the organisation have accused the school of sidelining South African children.
A lucky South African is currently sitting on R178-million.
Ithuba has announced that a player who bought a Lotto ticket for just R15 via a banking app has struck the jackpot, walking away with a staggering R178-million.
This remarkable win now ranks as the second-largest National Lottery jackpot in South African history.
READ: From R15 to R178m: What could SA's latest PowerBall winner buy?
The biggest jackpot to date was a massive R232-million, won in 2019.
Ithuba has called on the public to check their tickets, reminding players that the jackpot must be claimed in person at the Ithuba Head Office.
The operator has also offered the winner access to its Winner Services team, which provides financial advice and support to help winners manage their newfound wealth responsibly.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola to constitute a special unit to investigate people implicated in the Madlanga Commission.
READ: President Ramaphosa receives interim Madlanga Commission report
In a statement on Thursday, Ramaphosa said he expects all law enforcement agencies to act with speed in implementing the recommendations of the Commission.
"Establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency," Ramaphosa said in a statement.
READ: Legal expert calls on President to make Madlanga interim report public
Ramaphosa received the Commission’s interim report on 17 December. The interim report will not be made public.
READ: President accepts Madlanga Commission interim report recommendations
Ramaphosa said the Commission made recommendations in some instances for disciplinary measures to be taken against individuals alleged to be involved in wrongdoing, including criminal acts and corruption.