Mapaballo Borotho
- Matlala has once again denied involvement in the alleged kidnapping of Jerry Boshoga, insisting he was close to the missing businessman and had no reason to harm him.
- He told Boshoga’s mother she was being misled and claimed he offered R5 million towards a ransom payment.
- Matlala publicly appealed to the alleged kidnappers to release Boshoga or provide clarity, saying the family desperately needs closure.
Mamelodi-born businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala faced intense questioning from Members of Parliament over allegations linking him to a series of high-profile criminal activities on Thursday.
Matlala has been implicated in matters that have shaken the country, including the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, the looting of Tembisa Hospital, and the alleged kidnapping of Pretoria businessman Jerry Boshoga.
He is also accused of maintaining improper relationships with senior police officials, allegedly keeping some on his payroll to evade accountability.
He is further alleged to be part of the so-called Big Five cartel, a criminal network reportedly involved in drug trafficking, contract killings, and human trafficking in Gauteng – an accusation he firmly denied, insisting he is a legitimate businessman with no ties to criminal syndicates.
During his second day of testimony before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison, EFF leader Julius Malema asked Matlala to address Boshoga’s mother, who strongly believes he played a role in her son’s disappearance.
With a sombre expression and avoiding the cameras, Matlala told Boshoga’s mother she’s being misled.
“I am the first one who woke up at night and I was the first person who was looking for Jerry everywhere. Mama, you know very well your son and I are very close friends.”
Speaking about Boshoga in the past tense, he added that Jerry was like a younger brother to him.
“We have travelled together with our wives, and there’s nothing I would do to harm your son. They are trying to get in between us, trying to convince you that I took your son so that you can view me as this boogeyman they are painting me as. But from the bottom of my heart, I have never and will never do anything to harm your family.”
Matlala further claimed he was prepared to pay R5 million for Boshoga’s release, but said Jerry’s father-in-law refused to contribute the remaining R5 million demanded by the kidnappers.
He also addressed speculation that Jerry may have staged his own kidnapping to extort money from his father-in-law, dismissing it as baseless.
When asked whether he believes Boshoga is still alive, Matlala said he doubts it, arguing that holding him without receiving ransom would be a liability.
Malema then instructed Matlala to speak directly to Boshoga’s alleged kidnappers.
“What we need now is closure, so whether they have him, they must release him. I don’t think he’s in good health right now because he’s diabetic,” he said.
“Also, if they did something to him, please give us a sign to at least know. It is not nice sleeping every day not knowing what happened to your brother, son, father. We need closure.”
Boshoga was last seen in November 2024 after attending a business meeting at a food franchise store in Pretoria. The last relative to see him was his younger brother, who had driven him that day.
