Pretoria – The South African Police Service has enlisted Interpol to track down Mozambican nationals linked to the abduction of businessman Jerry Boshoga, who went missing in Centurion, Pretoria, in November 2024.
Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said the investigation is ongoing, with a multidisciplinary team, including crime intelligence, tactical units, and organised crime investigators, actively working on the case. Mathe confirmed that Interpol has been brought in to assist with cross-border inquiries.
A source close to the investigation revealed that Mozambican suspects have been identified. “Interpol is needed to navigate international boundaries, track foreign movement, monitor transactions, and place suspects under surveillance,” the source said, adding that kidnapping syndicates often operate with clearly defined roles, from planning the abduction to collecting ransom.
Boshoga’s case was referenced this week at the Madlanga commission of inquiry into alleged criminality and political interference in the criminal justice system. During testimony at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, police leaders said a December 2024 search was conducted at the Midstream Ridge home of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, accused of attempted murder, in a bid to locate the missing businessman.
Security strategist and retired Interpol ambassador Andy Mashaile noted that involving Interpol often indicates authorities suspect the victim has been taken out of the country. “Many kidnapping victims in South Africa, particularly businessmen, are found in Mozambique or elsewhere in the SADC region,” Mashaile said.
Three weeks ago, a Mozambican crime figure known as “Dollarman” was killed in a police confrontation near Kempton Park. Dollarman was believed to be behind the July kidnapping of an Indian businessman in Benoni, who was later rescued in Alexandra.
Matlala, 49, along with his wife Tsakani, 36, and four other accused, faces charges related to the October 2023 attempted murder of his former partner Tebogo Thobejane. Matlala was denied bail and is expected back in Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on October 7.
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