Central SA
Extortion charges added in Martie du Plessis kidnapping case─── ZENANDE MPAME 16:43 Mon, 09 Jun 2025
A suspect arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 19-year-old will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday (12/6) for bail information and further investigation.
Sgt Nzima Philemon Adoons is facing charges of kidnapping and an additional charge of extortion. He was remanded in custody after his brief court appearance on Monday.
Kamogelo Baukudi was allegedly kidnapped on Thursday after school by men who impersonated police officers. He was picked up from school by a driver working for his parents, and they were allegedly followed and stopped near Vereeniging Drive.
It was revealed in court that the suspect had made calls to the victim’s mother asking for a ransom. “Specifically, what we focused on was the issue of kidnapping and in between, while the investigation was continuing, there was some ransom which kicked in,” said Free State police spokesperson Brig. Motantsi Makhele.
“When we look at where the ransom came from, that’s when we could immediately sense that he is involved. That’s why this morning there was an additional charge of extortion that was placed in front of the court.”
“We have kept his identity just to make sure that part of the investigation, when it unfolds, whereby we need to identify him again, then it’s not in any way compromised,” he said.
Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and Brig. Motantsi Makhele in court. Photo: Zenande Mpame
Daniel Malebatso, the driver, alleged he heard a siren behind them and the occupants of a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 double-cab bakkie, fitted with blue “police lights”, pulled them over.
The suspect wearing a police uniform confronted Malebatso and informed him that the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving together with Baukudi was suspected of delivering drugs.
The duo was separated, and Malebatso was then told to drive ahead of Baukudi as they followed to the Park Road police station. The Toyota Hilux vanished from sight when a truck passed between the Suzuki and the vehicle.
“It is a bit of a relief that someone was arrested, but we are not yet there,” said Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae.
“What is key to us is to find Kamogelo, what is heartbreaking is the whereabouts of Kamogelo, we are here to support the family, to say we are with you in prayers.”
As a government, we really need to applaud the SAPS as they’ve shown that they are not biased in dealing with cases. This is one of the incidents where they do not care whether it is one of them who is a suspect, but they will go after you, she said.
