The discovery of two badly decomposed bodies in the Vaal River in the Free State on 11 October has fuelled speculation, now largely confirmed, surrounding the fate of notorious Terrible Josters gang leader, Peter Jaggers, and his associate, William (Billy) Peterson.
The bodies, found by a passer-by near a bridge and later recovered by the SAPS Diving Unit, were initially described by police as belonging to men estimated to be between 40 and 55 years old. A preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were bound with handcuffs and cable ties.
One victim, identified through tattoos including "Billie 08/06/2016" on his back, a cross and fire on his right lower leg, and "Kauthew" on his left hand, lacked teeth and bore numerous tattoos. The second victim's tattoos included "International Crook" on his back and flames on his left leg.
While Free State police have yet to officially confirm the identities of the deceased, sources close to the investigation suggest that Shawaal Jaggers, Peter Jaggers' wife, travelled from Cape Town to Johannesburg on Tuesday to identify one of the bodies. Despite attempts by News24 to contact her, she remained unavailable for comment.
The grim discovery brings a tragic end to a three-month-long search, beginning with Jaggers and Peterson's disappearance on 30 June after a trip from Cape Town to Gauteng for a supposed meeting.
The Terrible Josters gang, known for its operations in Kalksteenfontein and Netreg, Cape Town, and its links to the 28s gang, has been implicated in a complex web of organised crime involving international drug syndicates. News24 previously reported that Jaggers and Peterson’s disappearance was linked to a botched drug deal involving Colombian and Bulgarian organised crime syndicates.
A significant cocaine shipment, estimated at 500kg to 700kg, went missing off the Western Cape coast, allegedly due to bad weather conditions during the Easter weekend. Jaggers’s gang acted as intermediaries, tasked with ensuring the cocaine's safe passage from South America to the Eastern European syndicate.
An intelligence report obtained by News24 detailed Jaggers, Peterson, and a third person's arrival at OR Tambo International Airport around 11 pm on June 30th. They checked into the Peermont D'oreale Grande Hotel at Emperors Palace. However, Jaggers and Peterson left the hotel hours later for a meeting with the Bulgarian syndicate and vanished without a trace. Shawaal Jaggers reported her husband missing five days later, stating that he was picked up by foreigners from Bulgaria and Serbia.
Further evidence emerged in the form of WhatsApp voice notes sent to Shawaal, containing chilling threats. One message stated: "Hey, we're not playing. We're not playing. Your husband is on the way to South America. You guys have 24 hours to return the stuff, or we will come after your families. We're not playing. We're f**king gangsters from Colombia. We're cartel, we don't forgive you."
Another voice note simply urged, "Hey don't forget. Time is running. You've got 24 hours to give my stuff back."
Screenshots of an alleged conversation between Jaggers' representatives and the Colombians further intensified the pressure, with threats of violence and retribution if the missing cocaine wasn't returned.
The Cape Argus reported that a R50 million ransom was demanded by the Colombian cartel. Initial reports suggested Jaggers may have stolen a billion rand worth of cocaine, leading to speculation about his murder at the hands of the cartel.
The Hawks, while confirming their investigation into Jaggers' kidnapping last month, remained tight-lipped this week, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. Western Cape police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, deferred comment to the Hawks, stating, “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 Hawks based in Gauteng.”
The investigation is expected to focus on bodily markings, such as tattoos, for positive identification. Meanwhile, tributes poured in on social media. Jaggers’s friend, “Mr Zulu KKAFAM Agency”, posted on TikTok: “My brother, my friend, until we meet again, fly high.”
Photographs circulated online, showcasing the outpouring of grief from friends and family. The case also highlights concerns raised by Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, regarding drug trafficking at ports and the use of fishing vessels as a guise for transporting narcotics.
Smith previously linked Jaggers to the Berta Fishing Experience vessel, which was involved in a suspicious incident involving missing fishermen in March. He suggested the incident was a cover for a large cocaine shipment using the Southern Route, a method where cartels drop off drug shipments in barrels using passing container ships.
