Pretoria – September 22, 2025 – National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has told the Madlanga Commission that the disappearance of Centurion businessman Jerry Boshoga has exposed troubling ties between senior police officials and individuals accused of criminal activity. His testimony placed Gauteng’s head of detectives, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, under sharp scrutiny over his relationship with businessman-turned-crime suspect Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Masemola explained that alarm bells rang when Sibiya personally assumed control of the docket relating to Boshoga’s case in November 2024. This move raised suspicions because of Sibiya’s long-standing friendship with Matlala, who has been implicated in corrupt dealings involving fraudulent SAPS contracts. Although Matlala is currently behind bars, his detention relates to separate offences, not Boshoga’s ordeal.
“The decision to remove this docket from the normal investigative stream is highly questionable,” Masemola said in his testimony. “It contributes to a perception that certain senior officers may have been protecting individuals with whom they had personal ties.”
Boshoga, a 46-year-old entrepreneur known for securing lucrative government tenders, went missing late last year. He was later released under circumstances that remain unclear, but his disappearance shocked the Centurion business community and highlighted the vulnerability of wealthy figures to targeted attacks.
Adding weight to Masemola’s testimony were earlier warnings from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. He had previously cautioned that an organised network involving Matlala and senior SAPS members was interfering with sensitive investigations. According to Mkhwanazi, crucial case files were being removed or tampered with, and Boshoga’s docket was among those mishandled.
The issue is now under the spotlight at the Madlanga Commission, which is tasked with investigating state capture within South Africa’s policing structures. The inquiry is examining claims of corruption, political meddling, and collusion with underworld figures that may have undermined law enforcement.
In recent years, South Africa has experienced a surge in violent crimes targeting prominent businesspeople. Many of these incidents have been linked to extortion syndicates, who use threats, assaults, or forced disappearances to extract money or silence rivals. The Boshoga case has since become emblematic of how these criminal enterprises exploit weaknesses inside SAPS to operate with impunity.
Masemola emphasised that restoring accountability is vital for rebuilding public trust. “We cannot allow friendships or corrupt relationships to interfere with the pursuit of justice,” he told the commission. He further called on the media and public to handle ongoing investigations with responsibility, noting that premature speculation could hinder the delivery of justice.
As the hearings progress, attention will continue to focus on whether Sibiya’s connection to Matlala compromised the handling of Boshoga’s case. The commission’s findings are expected to shape the future of SAPS, with far-reaching implications for its credibility, internal integrity, and ability to combat organised crime effectively.
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