Pretoria West police arrested for alleged extortion linked to a kidnapping case

By Mapaballo Borotho

• Three Pretoria West police officers have been arrested on allegations of extortion and corruption linked to a kidnapping investigation.
• The arrests followed an undercover operation conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit.
• The officers are expected to appear in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court next week.

Three police officers stationed in Pretoria West have been arrested over allegations of extortion and corruption.

The trio was arrested by the National Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit following an undercover operation conducted on Friday, 15 May 2026.

Police spokesperson Amanda van Wyk said the suspects, two sergeants and a constable, allegedly extorted money from two individuals linked to a kidnapping case they were investigating.

Authorities have not yet disclosed which kidnapping case is involved, with further details still expected to be released.

While there are many kidnapping cases under investigation in South Africa, one of the most high-profile cases linked to Pretoria West is that of businessman and alleged drug dealer Jerry Boshoga.

Boshoga has been missing for more than a year, with his whereabouts still unknown. His family has repeatedly appealed to the kidnappers to release him dead or alive so they can find closure.

He was last seen in November 2024 after attending a business meeting at a food franchise outlet in Pretoria. The last family member to see him was his younger brother, who had driven him that day.

Since then, the family has reportedly received several disturbing videos allegedly sent by the kidnappers, showing a visibly distressed Boshoga pleading for help.

According to media reports, at the time of his kidnapping, the kidnappers were demanding a R10 million ransom for his release.

Boshoga’s mother has accused his longtime friend, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, of being behind her son’s kidnapping – allegations Matlala vehemently denied.