In the heart of South Africa's Gauteng province, a family's desperate cry for help has echoed through the corridors of power, reaching the ears of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the Provincial Police Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, who also doubles as the political killings task team convener. On countless occasions, the relatives of missing businessman Jerry Boshoga have turned to police, begging for their intervention in a case that has left them shattered.
At the center of this plea stands Lily Boshoga, a 71-year-old gogo and mother whose tears flow endlessly as she clings to the hope of seeing her son again. In her overwhelming despair, she even tried to sell her modest home in a township west of Pretoria, hoping to scrape together enough money to meet the staggering R10 million ransom demanded by those holding Jerry captive. Yet, the property's value fell far short, barely reaching a fraction of what was needed, leaving her efforts in vain and her heart heavier than ever. Whispers and allegations point to Vusimuzi Cat Matlala, a powerful figure with deep ties to shadowy networks, as the one allegedly behind this abduction, turning a simple business meeting at a public foodcourt into a nightmare that has gripped the nation.
Jerry Boshoga, a 46-year-old entrepreneur known for his work in farming and securing government tenders, vanished on 18 November 2024, in the quiet area of Rooihuiskraal, Centurion. That day began like any other for him. Accompanied by his younger brother Tumi, he arrived at a scheduled business meeting with an associate. The two brothers drove together, but after some discussions, Jerry stepped away briefly, telling Tumi he would return in about 15 minutes. He entered a nearby KFC outlet, spending roughly that time inside before emerging with his associate.
Jerry then informed Tumi that he needed to conduct a quick inspection at a security site nearby and promised to be back within 30 minutes. Tumi waited patiently at first, but as the minutes stretched into hours, concern grew. He tried calling Jerry's phone, only to be met with voicemail. An hour passed, and Tumi reached out to Jerry's wife, who also had no news. Then, just five minutes later, a chilling call came through on her line from an unknown number. Jerry's voice, strained and urgent, confirmed the family's worst fears: he had been taken by kidnappers.
From that moment, the Boshoga family's world unraveled. The abductors made their demands clear, starting with an exorbitant R60 million ransom. They warned against involving the police, threatening harm if their instructions were not followed. As days turned into weeks, the family negotiated desperately, and the amount was gradually reduced—first to R25 million, then finally to R10 million. But even this lowered figure proved impossible for them to gather. The kidnappers grew impatient, and to pressure the family further, they began sending disturbing videos starting around 12 February 2025. These recordings, some of which surfaced on social media, depicted Jerry in dire conditions, his hands bound behind his back, a T-shirt stuffed in his mouth to silence his cries.
In one clip, lasting about a minute and 28 seconds, a man dressed in blue overall pants, boots, gloves, and a black top repeatedly struck Jerry in the face, head, and torso while he sat shirtless and helpless. Another video showed Jerry with a swollen left eye, bruised and bleeding, as he wept and begged his mother to pay the full amount, emphasizing that she was his only hope. In a third recording, dated 11 February 2025 at 16:54, Jerry, appearing topless and in tears, urged his wife to speak strongly to her father and collect money from all possible sources, insisting he could not endure the suffering much longer and pleading not to be left to die.
The family shielded Lily from these harrowing images, knowing her frail health could not withstand the sight. Her daughter Talita took charge of protecting her, refusing to let her view the footage that had already traumatized the rest of them. Josie, another sister, spoke openly about the emotional toll, describing how the videos left everyone heartbroken and sleepless. The parents, both elderly, have been in and out of hospitals, their bodies weakened by the constant worry. Josie herself faced threats after posting about the kidnapping on social media, with the abductors warning Jerry's father-in-law to make her stop and remove the posts.
Despite the fear for her own safety, she continued, driven by a need to raise awareness and seek justice. The family reported the matter to the police and the Hawks, but updates have been scarce. Investigators mentioned that the case was at an advanced stage and that the kidnappers were unlikely to end Jerry's life since they sought payment, yet no arrests followed, and the business associate last seen with Jerry has not been questioned.
This scheme drew attention when whistleblower Babita Deokaran flagged suspicious payments exceeding R70 million, only to be assassinated soon after, with suspicions falling on Matlala's orders. His influence extended into a PSIRA-registered security firm called CAT VIP Protection, granting him access to firearms and a veneer of legitimacy. Through multiple front companies, he secured state tenders, and his reach grew into the construction sector, where he aligned with groups demanding protection fees from developers.
Matlala's connections reportedly shielded him from accountability. He formed ties with high-ranking police officials and political figures, even gifting luxury vehicles like a Mercedes-Benz to figures such as Ekurhuleni Metro Police Head Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, according to Mike Bolhuis, a veteran private investor and founder of Specialised Security Services, a company that specialises in Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes and Serious Cybercrimes. Bolhuis claim Matlala often boasted of protection from ministers and generals, making meaningful investigations nearly impossible.
His empire intertwined with networks like Boko Haram, which evolved into an extortion operation targeting construction sites. This group placed informants at projects, enforced fees, and used security firms linked to him to maintain control. Profits flowed back into arms procurement and political maneuvering, with regular meetings at Matlala's offices in Menlyn Maine suggesting a structured alliance. Companies affiliated with this network allegedly won tenders and intimidated contractors, funneling money through layered fronts.
The web of allegations around Matlala includes a series of targeted eliminations. Mike Bolhuis, further alleges, through his website that Cat Matlala allegedly orchestrated the deaths of former associates like Kgosi over a financial disagreement, Alph Rams after demanding repayment of R2 million, and Zorro, a previous leader in the Boko Haram circle, to solidify his dominance, the private investigator alleges. There was also an unsuccessful attempt on his ex-girlfriend Tebogo Thobejane, who suffered a gunshot wound to the foot in a 2023 incident in Sandton.
His partner, Tsakani TK Baloyi, reportedly played a role in some of these schemes. Mike Bolhuis says she even pushed for actions against her child's father and mimicking Tebogo's appearance to win favor. The pair's bold appearances at public events, flanked by armed guards, only fueled public dismay.
Jerry's kidnapping is not isolated. Around the same time, in November 2024, the wife and nine-year-old son of Ranti Dikgale, a business partner of Jerry's, were also taken after leaving the Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate in Centurion. This abduction stemmed from a money dispute between Jerry and Ranti, after a government tender the two business partners won turned sour. The abductors knew they could to extort money from both families. Nqobile Dikgale and her son were held briefly and freed after a substantial ransom was paid, reportedly following Matlala's involvement.
In court documents, Matlala admitted being approached by the Dikgale family to help locate them, leveraging his security company. His team made progress but withdrew after uncovering internal conflicts among the kidnappers, including a shooting incident. Strikingly, while the Dikgales were released, Jerry remains captive, raising questions about Matlala's dual role—accused in one kidnapping yet aiding in resolving another.
Adding layers to the mystery is the death of Rametsi Tsitso Tladi, a DJ from Atteridgeville, shot six times on 20 December 2024, and succumbing to his injuries nine days later. Insiders believe Tladi, who grew up knowing Jerry and moved in underworld circles, was eliminated for sharing information about the kidnappings, possibly identifying those responsible. As a popular figure, he often received and passed on tips, and his murder coincided with the Dikgales' release, suggesting it cleared a path for their freedom. No arrests have been made in his case, though investigations continue.
These events tie into a larger scandal exposed by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. On 6 July 2025, he filed a criminal complaint against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, accusing him of interfering in investigations and obstructing justice. Mkhwanazi revealed that a special task team probing political killings was disbanded in March 2025, just as it neared exposing a syndicate involving MPs, police generals, prosecutors, judges, and business elites like Matlala.
Over 120 case files were seized improperly by Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, allegedly on Mchunu's direct orders, bypassing the national commissioner. The team had uncovered links between Mchunu and Matlala, including financial and communication trails.
Ballistics reports from 30 December 2024 linked weapons seized in another murder case—an AK-47 and a pistol—to these and other incidents dating back to 2021. Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu issued a directive on 31 December 2024 to freeze Crime Intelligence vacancies and dissolve the task team, protecting syndicate members.
Raids on Matlala's properties intensified scrutiny. On 13 December 2024, police searched his Waterkloof Ridge mansion, seizing firearms, electronics, and luxury items in connection with kidnappings, including Jerry's and the Dikgales'. Further raids hit his offices on 18 December 2024 and 19 December 2024. Matlala denied wrongdoing, claiming no warrants justified the actions and dismissing accusations of colluding with police generals. He was arrested on 14 May 2025, charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, stemming from the Thobejane incident.
Matlala's lavish lifestyle came under the microscope too. Through a company, he won a R360 million SAPS health services tender, later canceled amid fraud allegations, now probed by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. While suppliers and staff went unpaid, Matlala and his family enjoyed mansions, designer clothes from brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton, cosmetic procedures, and overseas trips. Even in custody at Kgosi Mampuru Prison, he made headlines when a cellphone was found in his cell during a surprise raid, leading to his transfer to the high-security C-max section. Authorities are examining how he obtained the device.
Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi's stand against corruption has inspired hope, yet the Boshoga family's pleas underscore the human cost. Lily's attempt to sell her home, valued at less than R1 million, symbolizes the lengths a mother will go, even as it falls short.
Do you think Jerry, who suffers from a non-disclosed chronic illness, is still alive? and what can be done to bring him back to his family?
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