The mysterious disappearance of South African businessman Jerry Boshoga has once again cast a harsh spotlight on the country’s escalating kidnapping crisis. Nearly eight months since he was abducted, his fate remains unknown — a haunting symbol of a justice system overwhelmed by violent organized crime.
On July 15, 2025, SABC 1’s Cutting Edge aired a gripping exposé titled “The Disappearance, Jerry Boshoga,” chronicling the heart-wrenching ordeal faced by his family. Over several months, they were terrorised by chilling torture videos and relentless ransom demands totalling R60 million. Despite their desperate attempts to negotiate, communication with the kidnappers suddenly ceased, plunging the family into anguish and uncertainty.
Adding a sinister dimension to the case, allegations surfaced linking the kidnapping to notorious underworld figure Vusi “Cat” Matlala — suggesting it is part of a wider criminal syndicate’s operations. This connection underscores the sophisticated networks thriving amid gaps in law enforcement and the slow wheels of justice.
Boshoga’s case is not an isolated tragedy. Kidnappings in South Africa, particularly in Gauteng, have surged to alarming levels, with families bearing the emotional and financial toll of rampant criminality. The Cutting Edge program powerfully reminded the nation that behind every statistic lies a devastated family crying out for justice in a system struggling to keep pace.
As the investigation remains stalled, the Boshoga family and the country face painful questions and growing fear. Their plight demands urgent and decisive action — a call for authorities and society to confront this deepening crisis before more lives are shattered.
