The Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation, have launched a renewed appeal to the public in their pursuit of a man believed to be connected to the killings of alleged Cape gang boss Jaggers and his associate William Peterson. The two men, both feared figures in Cape Town’s underworld, disappeared under suspicious circumstances last year after what investigators say was a failed drug deal tied to an international cartel.
Jaggers Disappearance Shocked Cape Town
Jaggers, widely believed to be a leader within the Terrible Josters gang, was last seen alive on 4 July 2024 at the Emperor’s Hotel in Gauteng. He had checked in with Peterson after landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport, travelling from Cape Town for what appeared to be a business meeting.
Investigators say the pair were later picked up by an unknown man in a grey Mercedes-Benz. They were never seen alive again. Months later, their decomposing bodies were discovered chained and submerged in a Free State dam.
The Hawks confirmed that a kidnapping case was opened in July 2024 at Bishop Lavis police station in Cape Town, before responsibility was transferred to Gauteng detectives once evidence surfaced that the crime had taken place there.
Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela explained:
“A case of kidnapping was registered at Bishop Lavis in Cape Town in July 2024 following the disappearance of the pair, this after landing at O.R. Tambo International Airport from Cape Town. “It is believed that after landing at the airport the pair headed to a nearby hotel where after checking in they were then picked up by an unknown male driving a grey Mercedes Benz. “The pair disappeared and were found murdered in a river in the Free State in October 2024. The case has since been transferred to the Hawks’ in Gauteng.”
The Hunt for a Key Figure
According to authorities, CCTV footage has provided investigators with crucial evidence. A man captured on camera with Jaggers and Peterson shortly after their arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport is now a central figure in the Hawks’ probe.
“The Hawks are seeking anyone with information on the whereabouts of the man in the picture attached, who is a person of interest, and was last seen with the pair before their disappearance. If you have information that can assist the police please contact Lt Col Jacobs on 082 319 9522. Alternatively you can contact #CrimeStop on 08600 10111, or anonymously drop a tip off on the #MySAPSApp.”
Authorities believe this man could unlock answers to a case that stretches across provinces and into alleged dealings with international cartels.
The Cocaine Connection
At the centre of speculation is Jaggers’ alleged theft of R1 billion worth of cocaine. According to police sources, the drugs were meant to be shipped through South African waters under the guise of a fishing operation. Instead, Jaggers is believed to have tried to keep the consignment for himself.
The controversy deepened after Jaggers was linked to the vessel The Berta Fishing Experience. The boat made headlines in March 2024 when six fishermen disappeared at sea for several hours, reportedly after running out of fuel.
City officials have long raised alarm bells about drug trafficking through South African ports. JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, was outspoken about the potential role of the vessel in smuggling operations.
“The Hawks’ are seeking anyone with information on the whereabouts of the man in the picture attached, who is a person of interest, and was last seen with the pair before their disappearance.”
He further claimed that Jaggers staged the sinking of the vessel to cover up his attempt to divert the cocaine for his own gain.
“Jaggers, instead of transporting the cocaine, tried to keep it and then claimed the boat sank.”
Unanswered Questions
The double murder raises pressing questions: How did an alleged Cape gang boss come to be entangled with a Colombian cartel? Was the R1 billion cocaine theft the true motive behind the killings? And most importantly, will the Hawks’ search for the man seen on CCTV finally bring clarity to one of South Africa’s most chilling organised crime cases in recent years?
For now, the Hawks insist they are closer to finding answers. Yet the shadow of international cartels, local gang rivalries, and drug trafficking through South Africa’s ports looms large.
