Central SA
Maximum resources deployed to find kidnapped Martie du Plessis learner─── ZENANDE MPAME 06:00 Thu, 19 Jun 2025
“Investigations into finding Kamogelo are still underway, and the Ministry of Police assures the public that maximum resources have been deployed to ensure Kamogelo’s safe return.”
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu assured the public that mobilisation of maximum resources has been deployed in the case relating to the disappearance of Kamogelo Baukudi (19).
It has been two weeks since Kamogelo was allegedly kidnapped by two men impersonating police officers. A police sergeant, Nzima Adoons, arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of the teenager, will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (24/6) for a formal bail application, facing charges of kidnapping and extortion.
“Following the reporting of the incident, a multi-disciplinary team was established, comprising amongst others, detectives, members from Crime Intelligence and Visible Policing, a hostage negotiator, with the assistance of the private security industry,” said Minister of Police spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi.
“The team has followed up on various leads, has spoken to family members and friends, and has also engaged with their sources in an attempt to find the missing teen.” The investigation is still underway, and the ministry assures the public that maximum resources have been deployed to ensure Kamogelo’s safe return, she said.
Free State Education MEC MJ Maboya appealed to the public to assist the police in finding Kamogelo and bringing him back home safely. “The department’s priority is Kamogelo’s safety, and we are committed to working with the police to bring him home.”
Kamogelo Baukudi was allegedly kidnapped after school on Thursday, 5 June, by men who impersonated police officers. He was picked up by was picked up from school by a driver working for his parent, and they were allegedly followed and stopped near Vereeniging Drive.
Daniel Malebatso, the driver, alleges that 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 duo was separated, and Malebatso was then told to drive ahead of Baukudi as they followed from behind to the Park Road police station. The Toyota Hilux vanished from sight when a truck passed between the Suzuki and the vehicle.
