A Franschhoek mother claims the wife of a former senior police officer accused of kidnapping and assaulting her 14-year-old son came to her home and asked her to drop the case.
Miriam Saiyd alleges her son was forced into a Quantum taxi by Leon Boonzaaier, the former head of the Franschhoek detective unit, and Franschhoek Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Trevor Jefthas in an incident last month.
She claims the teenager was accused of dealing in drugs before being forced into the taxi. Once inside, he was allegedly stripped naked, beaten and strangled. The alleged incident occurred in the Mooiwater area of Franschhoek on 13 August, 2026.
Boonzaaier and Jefthas were arrested on Thursday, 20 August, 2026 and face charges including kidnapping and assault.
But Saiyd claims the drama didn’t end there.
She claims on the day of the arrests, Boonzaaier’s wife, Elvida, arrived at her home and asked that the case be withdrawn and even offered to pay for her son’s medical treatment.
“She did not say how much money she was willing to give me. She asked for forgiveness on behalf of her husband.
“She also offered to take my son to hospital and cover his medical bills. I declined,” Saiyd said.
The mom says she reported the alleged attempt to influence the case to Franschhoek SAPS, but got no help.
“The detective just said I must wait,” she claims.
Image: Supplied
Western Cape police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed that Franschhoek police registered cases of kidnapping, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm and crimen injuria following the incident.
Van Wyk reported: “A 14-year-old male sustained injuries to his face and body.
“Two suspects, both aged 55, were arrested, charged and appeared in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 21 August.
“R1 000 bail was granted for both suspects and the case was postponed to 8 October.”
Van Wyk did not respond to questions about the alleged attempt to have the case withdrawn.
But Elvida has denied Saiyd’s allegations.
She confirmed that she visited Saiyd’s home, but said she had no intention of asking her to withdraw the case.
“Yes, I did visit her house. However, at that time I did not even know that my husband had just been arrested.
“I went there as a woman and as a mother to ask how I could assist the family and the boy after what happened on 13 August.
“I have a recording of the entire discussion. Never did I ask her to withdraw the case or offer her money to do so,” Elvida said.
After Daily Voice requested a copy of the recording, Elvida responded: “We will not provide any further comment to the newspapers, as the matter is currently before the court.”
For Boonzaaier, the allegations mark a dramatic fall from his former position as Franschhoek’s detective boss.
The 55-year-old former police officer had 36 years of service behind him before leaving the force earlier this year.
Boonzaaier resigned amid an investigation into allegations that proper internal procedures had not been followed when certain offences were registered at the Franschhoek police station.
