Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp chats between Tiego Mabusela and Musa Kekana show they plotted the November 2024 kidnapping of Pretoria businessman Jerry Boshoga and agreed on a payout of R500 000 each (“5 clipa”).
- The abductors initially demanded R60 million, later reduced the ransom to R10 million in Bitcoin, and circulated a violent video of Boshoga while he remained missing.
- Police link Mabusela and Kekana to Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala’s alleged criminal network, citing long‑standing communication and involvement in other killings and extortions.
- Testimony before the Madlanga commission highlighted a distinctive white sheet found at Matlala’s home that matched one seen in the ransom video, though Boshoga was not located there.
- Matlala denies any role, claiming he was misled and that he spent time searching for Boshoga, while investigators say the case remains open despite procedural challenges.
Overview of the Case
Jerry Boshoga, a 45‑year‑old tenderpreneur who also operated a VIP protection firm and a farm, was abducted in November 2024 while attending a meeting at a KFC in Wierdapark, Centurion. His kidnappers have never released him, and despite multiple ransom demands and a disturbing video showing him being assaulted, his fate remains unknown. The case has attracted significant public and parliamentary scrutiny, including testimony before the Madlanga commission of inquiry into corruption in the justice system.
WhatsApp Messages Reveal the Plot
Exclusive WhatsApp exchanges obtained by the Sunday Times between Tiego Mabusela and Musa Kekana detail how the two men allegedly planned the kidnapping. In their conversation, they agreed to tell their “Team” that the operation would cost 1 million rand, with each receiving R500 000 (“5 clipa”) for grabbing and delivering Boshoga, then collecting the payment after three days. The messages illustrate a clear financial motive and a pre‑arranged division of the proceeds.
Ransom Demands and Escalation
After the abduction, the kidnappers first demanded R60 million from Boshoga’s family. Subsequent negotiations saw the amount lowered to R25 million in Bitcoin, and finally to a R10 million ransom. Throughout this period, the captors circulated a harrowing video of Boshoga being assaulted, intensifying pressure on his relatives while providing investigators with potential forensic clues, such as background objects visible in the footage.
Profiles of the Alleged Henchmen
Mabusela and Kekana are described as members of a feared gang operating in and around Atteridgeville, Pretoria. Police allege they have carried out extortions, contract killings, and multiple kidnappings on behalf of Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. Both men face charges alongside Matlala for attempted murders and are also linked, with Katiso “KT” Molefe, to the murders of DJ Sumbody, DJ Vintos, and engineer Armand Swart—the latter purportedly a case of mistaken identity.
Connection to Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala
Investigators contend that Mabusela and Kekana acted as Matlala’s henchmen, using WhatsApp to coordinate criminal activity. Police records show Mabusela communicating with Matlala as far back as 2021, including during discussions about the attempted killing of Thobejane and Sibanyoni. The alleged hierarchy suggests Matlala directed or approved the kidnapping of Boshoga, employing his trusted lieutenants to execute the plan.
Specific WhatsApp Exchange on 14 February 2024
On the night of 14 February 2024, Mabusela sent Kekana a photograph of Jerry Boshoga accompanied by the terse comment, “That’s the guy.” Kekana asked for Boshoga’s name to locate additional images, after which Mabusela reiterated the financial arrangement: “Me and u we tell the Team that it’s 1 million just to grab and deliver him and after 3 days we collect … Cause I think 5clipa [R500 k each] aside for us [is] fine … if we are 4 it’s 250k each it’s enough dnt u think?” Kekana agreed, noting that a 1 million‑rand demand would be acceptable to the family because it merely involved taking the victim.
Police Investigation and Allegations
Following the arrest of Mabusela and Kekana in 2024, police confiscated their phones and uncovered further WhatsApp evidence linking them to the planning of the Thobejane–Sibanyoni hit and the Boshoga kidnapping. Authorities assert that the pair have a long history of liaising with Matlala, using their networks to facilitate extortions, killings, and abductions. The investigation continues, with detectives analysing message timelines, financial trails, and witness statements to build a prosecutable case.
Madlanga Commission Testimony and Forensic Clue
Witness C appeared before the Madlanga commission, describing a police raid on Matlala’s residence in December 2024 after receiving intelligence that Boshoga might be held there. Although Boshoga was not found, officers noted a distinctive white sheet with torn edges tied to a window—identical to the sheet visible in the ransom video sent to Boshoga’s family. This similarityprovided a tangible link between the alleged captivity location and the kidnappers’ communications, strengthening the circumstantial case against the suspects.
Matlala’s Defence and Parliamentary Statements
Matlala has consistently denied involvement, telling parliament’s ad hoc committee that he believed Boshoga’s brother had informed him of the kidnapping in Centurion. When confronted by EFF leader Julius Malema, Matlala insisted that Boshoga’s mother was being misled by those who had imprisoned him, claiming he had actually been searching for the victim. He argued that accusations against him stemmed from a desire to conceal the truth and protect the perpetrators’ image, asserting that he had urged transparency with the police.
Ongoing Investigation and Procedural Challenges
Crime‑intelligence boss Lt‑Gen Dumisani Khumalo told the ad hoc committee that the investigation into Boshoga’s kidnapping remains active but has faced obstacles, including case reallocation between senior commissioners. Despite these administrative shifts, the national commissioner has ordered the original team to resume work. Authorities continue to pursue leads from the WhatsApp evidence, the white‑sheet forensic match, and witness testimonies, hoping to locate Boshoga—or determine his fate—and bring those responsible to justice.