CAPE TOWN - Members of Parliament say Brown Mogotsi is making unreasonable demands after he refused to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee, demanding private security.
Mogotsi’s non-appearance took centre stage in Parliament on Wednesday, where MPs unanimously agreed to subpoena the political fixer.
Mogotsi is not the first witness to be subpoenaed.
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.
Mogotsi was expected to begin his testimony on Thursday, but refused to give Parliament’s secretariat his details, demanding that Parliament foot the bill for his security for seven days.
READ | Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee to subpoena Brown Mogotsi
While Parliament offered Mogotsi its Protection Services escort, he refused, saying he wanted his own personal security to be used.
The committee is still working to secure Mogotsi’s appearance.
Speaking to eNCA, Mogotsi said he wanted Parliament to ensure that his private security arrives in Cape Town. He said for security reasons, he wanted his security detail to arrive in Cape Town a day earlier so arrangements for his accommodation and airport pick-up could be made.
MK Party’s Sibonelo Nomvalo said Mogotsi must be subpoenaed as soon as possible.
"The terms of reference are very clear on what must happen. This is a sign of refusal by Mogotsi. The only thing that the legal team must do, they must subpoena him to come here."
Action SA’s Dereleen James said if Parliament doesn’t stand firm, people will try their tricks.
“In the case of O’Sullivan, he should have been subpoenaed a long time ago. Months ago, the committee had a meeting, and that decision was taken. It is two months later, and we are still discussing that.”
The ANC’s Mdumiseni Ntuli said a decision was taken by the Committee that all witnesses must appear in person.
“We do not want a situation where an interaction between a witness and us can be interrupted by network problems or any other issues that may disrupt our proceedings.”