Jerry Boshoga Biography: Still Alive, Age, Wife, Tribe, Family

Jerry Boshoga came to public attention not only for his work as a businessman and farmer in Pretoria but tragically for his sudden disappearance in November 2024. Over the months that followed, disturbing footage circulated online showing him bound and pleading for ransom — material that intensified media, police and parliamentary interest. The case exposed questions about criminal networks, alleged drug activity, and possible links to powerful figures being investigated by oversight bodies. This biography collects what is publicly known about his life, the events surrounding his disappearance, the investigations that followed, and the ongoing debate about his legacy and safety in the region.

Early life & background

Publicly available coverage focuses mainly on Boshoga’s adult life, business dealings and his disappearance; details of his childhood and private family history remain limited in mainstream reporting. He was described in news reports as a Pretoria-based businessman and a farmer, involved in various commercial activities. Local accounts and social media noted his role in agricultural ventures and tender-related businesses prior to his disappearance.

Business career and public profile

Boshoga was known in his community as a working entrepreneur who managed farming interests and provided services tied to security and business. Reports indicate he attended meetings with business associates and was active in securing and running commercial operations in and around Pretoria. Over time his profile grew beyond local business circles because of the dramatic events connected to his abduction.

The disappearance — what happened (November 2024)

According to police timelines and multiple media accounts, Jerry Boshoga disappeared in November 2024 after attending a business meeting in Centurion (Tshwane). He left a restaurant after meeting an associate and later told his sibling that he would conduct an inspection and return within 30 minutes, but he never returned. Hours later family members reported him missing and his younger sibling received a call from an unknown number during which Boshoga said he had been kidnapped. Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown.

The ransom videos and public reaction

Following the disappearance, graphic videos circulated online showing Boshoga tied up, injured and begging his family for funds to secure his release. Initial ransom demands reported in the media ranged from extremely high figures (reports varied) down to a figure the family was asked to raise. The circulation of those videos caused national outrage, led to intense public scrutiny and placed additional pressure on law enforcement to treat the case as a high-priority kidnapping. Media outlets and police cautioned the public about misinformation and urged restraint in sharing unverified material.

Investigations, police statements and sensitive status

The South African Police Service (SAPS) repeatedly stated the matter remained under active and sensitive investigation, warning against the spread of unverified claims that Boshoga had been found deceased. Law-enforcement operations included raids and searches related to persons of interest in the case. The Political Killings Task Team and specialised police units have been reported as involved in follow-up operations connected to the disappearance. Authorities consistently requested the public to refrain from sharing unverified information to protect the integrity of the investigation and the well-being of the victim’s family.

High-profile names and parliamentary testimony

The case later intersected with high-level political and criminal-investigation scrutiny. In late 2025, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala — a controversial figure who has been accused in other matters and who has been involved in parliamentary hearings — gave testimony that included claims linking Boshoga to drug manufacturing and to transactions between Matlala and Boshoga. Matlala alleged that Boshoga had been involved in acquiring chemical drums for drug production on the day he disappeared and recounted aspects of their association while denying involvement in the kidnapping itself. These claims were made during testimony before an Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption and related criminal allegations. The testimony amplified debates about whether Boshoga was primarily a legitimate businessman or involved in criminal activity, and whether that had any bearing on his disappearance.

Conflicting narratives and media coverage

Media reporting on the case has shown a mix of verified facts, allegations and conflicting narratives. Some outlets emphasised the gruesome nature of the ransom videos and the family’s anguish; others published allegations from figures such as Matlala that painted Boshoga as engaged in drug manufacturing. Law enforcement continues to caution that allegations made in public testimony remain subject to legal processes and verification. The mix of accusations, denials and partial confirmations created a complex public record.

Family impact and community response

Boshoga’s family has been at the centre of the public tragedy — receiving ransom calls, facing the trauma of circulating footage, and enduring months of uncertainty. Community members, local activists and some media outlets called for discreet but determined police work and for sensitivity in reporting, arguing that sensationalism only exacerbates the family’s suffering and complicates investigative work. Several news outlets echoed the police plea to avoid spreading unverified claims that could jeopardise the inquiry.

Current status (as reported)

As of the latest public coverage, Jerry Boshoga remains missing. Police statements and reputable news sources indicate they have neither located him alive nor confirmed his death. Investigations have been described as ongoing and at a sensitive stage, with several leads and lines of inquiry reported but no definitive public resolution. Parliamentary testimony and subsequent news coverage in late 2025 brought renewed attention to the case and to allegations about criminal connections and conduct, but these remain contested and subject to verification through legal and investigative channels.

What the case suggests about broader issues

The Boshoga case highlighted several systemic problems often discussed in South African public life: the danger of violent organised crime, the spread of sensational and sometimes misleading material on social platforms, and questions about the relationship between criminal actors and allegedly complicit or compromised officials. Parliamentary scrutiny and police involvement point to the need for thorough investigative rigor, protection of victim families, and careful public communication during high-profile criminal investigations.

FAQs

Who is Jerry Boshoga?

— Jerry Boshoga is a Pretoria businessman and farmer who went missing after a business meeting in Centurion in November 2024. He became widely known following circulation of videos showing him bound and pleading for ransom.

When did he go missing?

— Reports indicate he disappeared in November 2024 after attending a business meeting; his family later received calls indicating he had been kidnapped.

Is Jerry Boshoga dead?

— As of the most recent public reports, police say he remains missing and have not confirmed whether he is alive or deceased.

Were there ransom demands?

— Graphic videos showed Boshoga pleading for payment; media reports described initial and fluctuating ransom figures reportedly demanded by the kidnappers.

Has anyone been arrested or charged in connection with his disappearance?

— Investigations have included raids and searches; various persons of interest have been mentioned in media coverage. Public reporting indicates investigations remain active, but a clear public record of convictions tied specifically to his disappearance was not reported as of the latest coverage.

What is the role of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in this story?

— Matlala is a controversial figure who has been implicated in other criminal matters; in late 2025 he testified before Parliament that Boshoga was involved in drug manufacturing and gave an account of events linked to Boshoga’s last known movements. Matlala denied involvement in the kidnapping itself. These claims are part of a contested narrative.

Conclusion

Jerry Boshoga’s biography, as it is publicly known, is shaped as much by his business activities as by the unresolved and distressing circumstances of his disappearance. The case has become a touchstone in national discussion about violent crime, the circulation of graphic content on social media, and how investigations intersect with political oversight. While allegations about his involvement in criminal activity surfaced in parliamentary testimony, official statements maintain the investigation is ongoing and cautioned against premature conclusions. For the family, community and nation, the priority remains finding answers and ensuring justice is served — and for the public, to allow careful investigative work to proceed without harmful misinformation.