Johannesburg – The "Big Five" cartel, already notorious for alleged drug trafficking and contract killings, is now under scrutiny for a series of brazen abductions, intimidations, and extortions, according to South African police investigations. The sophisticated crime syndicate is allegedly involved in the kidnappings of prominent business figures and their families, holding them for ransom.
The underworld figures have been linked to several high-profile cases, including the 2022 kidnapping of Nkangala District Municipality manager Maggie Skhosana, the 2024 abduction of Nqobile Dikgale and her son, and the disappearance of Pretoria businessman Jerry Boshoga.
Law enforcement officials describe the alleged kidnapping operations as ruthless and cruel, pointing to a criminal enterprise that leverages its alleged infiltration of state institutions to operate with impunity.
The Copperleaf abduction of Nqobile Dikgale and her nine-year-old son in November of last year has been linked to the subsequent kidnapping of Boshoga, a 45-year-old Pretoria businessman and farmer, just days later. Dikgale and her son were abducted after leaving the Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate in Centurion, Gauteng. The Dikgale family secured their release after paying an undisclosed ransom, according to sources privy to the investigation.
One insider stated, "We got the brief. They got intelligence that the husband has money, and that is why they targeted the wife and son. And they knew that he would cooperate." The same source advised, "The best way if they target you is to remain stubborn and refuse to be threatened. You give them nothing." However, despite paying the ransom, Dikgale was reportedly "jubilant" about the revelations emerging from the Madlanga commission in recent weeks.
Boshoga, abducted in Centurion, remains missing. His family was shown graphic videos of him being beaten, with a ransom demand initially set at R60-million, later reduced to R10-million. Police recently stated that investigations are at a sensitive stage, suggesting that arrests are imminent. Investigators believe the kidnappings are connected to a financial dispute between Boshoga and Ranti Dikgale, Nqobile's husband.
The Mpumalanga case involving Maggie Skhosana and her driver, Gugu Mtsweni, saw the pair abducted in October 2022 by individuals posing as police officers. Their vehicle and Skhosana's wheelchair were later found abandoned near a mine. A ransom of R5-million was demanded for their release.
According to a person familiar with the case, "The dispute in Mpumalanga was about a tender. They were not happy with the company that was awarded the tender and blamed the municipal manager. So, their strategy was to recover what they lost in the procurement process through ransom." It is understood that the ransom was paid to the "Big Five" to secure the release of the victims.
The operations of the "Big Five" are the subject of the high-profile Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Corruption within the South African Police Service. Testimony before the commission has linked Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, an alleged kingpin, directly to the Boshoga case.
During a raid on Matlala's mansion on December 6, 2024, police allegedly discovered a distinctive, torn white sheet that matched the one visible in the ransom videos of Boshoga. A domestic worker told police that Matlala had provided the sheet for use as a curtain. However, the raid failed to locate Boshoga.
"Witness C" told the commission that Matlala had been tipped off about the investigation into his suspected involvement in the cartel by Sergeant FE Nkosi, an officer working in a senior detective’s office.
Following his arrest on separate charges, including the attempted murder of his former girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, Matlala allegedly implicated senior police officials, including a deputy national commissioner, and boasted about his influence on them and a multi-million rand SAPS contract.
Lt-gen Dumisani Khumalo, head of crime intelligence, has testified that Matlala is a central figure in the "Big Five".
The commission has heard evidence that the cartel has deeply infiltrated law enforcement and politicians. One source stated, "They are popping their names one by one at the commission. I saw this coming. It is still going to get interesting."
When pressed for comment on the gang’s alleged involvement in kidnappings and extortions, police national spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said she was unable to venture into details because their investigations into these cases are at a sensitive stage. “All matters referred to are under investigation. We cannot comment or divulge any information at this stage as investigations have reached a sensitive stage,” she said.
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