A body believed to be that of Peter Jaggers, an alleged gang boss who was reported missing in July, has reportedly been found in a dam in the Free State. Jaggers was thought to have been kidnapped by a Colombian drug cartel, according to sources familiar with the case. The grim discovery of his body, alongside that of another man, has reignited public interest in a case filled with suspicion, violence, and international drug cartel involvement.
Jaggers’ family, including his wife and other relatives, travelled to Gauteng earlier this week to identify a body matching his description. The family is said to have boarded a flight to Johannesburg on Tuesday to view the remains. The bodies were discovered in a dam, both in an advanced state of decomposition, and reportedly had chains and sandbags attached, which held them submerged underwater.
A source with knowledge of the investigation confirmed the gruesome details, stating:
“The two men were apparently being held down in the water with chains and sandbags tied to their bodies, which were in a bad state of decomposition.”
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, better known as the Hawks, is handling the investigation into Jaggers’ disappearance. However, they have been tight-lipped regarding the discovery of the bodies, neither confirming nor denying the new developments.
When approached for comment, provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie stated:
“We are not at liberty to comment on the alleged kidnapping and murder of the person cited in your enquiry as the matter is being probed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations based in Gauteng.”
The lack of official communication has not stopped speculation, especially as details regarding Jaggers’ disappearance have circulated widely since he was last seen.
Following news of the potential discovery of Jaggers’ body, social media platforms were flooded with messages of condolences from friends, family, and associates. Jaggers’ friend, Mr Zulu of KKAFAM Agency, took to TikTok to express his grief, writing:
“My brother, my friend, until we meet again fly high.”
This post garnered significant attention, with over 100 comments from people expressing their shock and sympathy. Photographs of Jaggers also began to circulate online, as those close to him publicly mourned his death.
Jaggers, originally from Kreefgat, went missing in early July after a business meeting in Gauteng. His wife reported him missing on 5 July at the Bishop Lavis Police Station, noting that he had last been seen on 3 July near the Emperors Palace Hotel in Gauteng. Reports quickly emerged alleging that Jaggers had been kidnapped by a South American cartel, who accused him of stealing R1 billion worth of cocaine.
Rumours soon followed that the cartel demanded a R50 million ransom for his release. A voice note allegedly sent to Jaggers’ family, reportedly from a man with a South American accent, surfaced on social media, further fuelling speculation about his abduction.
“It was alleged that Jaggers stole R1 billion worth of cocaine from them, and rumours spread that he had been kidnapped and a R50 million ransom was demanded,”
noted one source, referencing the highly circulated accusations on social media.
Another individual, identified as William Peterson, was also rumoured to have been abducted alongside Jaggers. However, the Hawks have not confirmed this detail, and the case remains shrouded in mystery.
Jaggers’ alleged ties to drug trafficking run deeper, with reports linking him to a missing vessel known as “The Berta Fishing Experience.” This boat made headlines in March when it capsized, leaving six fishermen missing. Among the group was one of Jaggers’ relatives, whose identity is being withheld for safety reasons.
Local officials have long expressed concern about drug trafficking activities at South African ports. JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, has been vocal about the use of South African coastal routes by drug cartels. He raised alarms over how fishing vessels, such as “The Berta Fishing Experience,” are being used as fronts to smuggle narcotics.
Smith explained how cartels often leverage container ships to drop drugs into the ocean, where they are picked up by local gangs:
“He said cartels often used passing container ships to drop off drugs and left it floating in barrels, with the GPS pin sent to local gangs to pick it up.”
This has led to speculation that Jaggers may have intercepted one of these drug drops, attempting to steal the valuable cargo for himself. As reports circulate about his alleged involvement, many believe this could have been the motive behind his kidnapping and subsequent death.
As the investigation continues, numerous questions remain unanswered. The Hawks’ reluctance to comment on the case has left the public grasping for more information. Was Jaggers truly kidnapped and killed over a stolen drug consignment? What role, if any, did the Colombian cartel play in his disappearance and death? And who is William Peterson, the man allegedly taken alongside Jaggers?
