Sgt Nzima Adoons appeared in court on Monday, 1 December, when his case was postponed to Friday, 16 January, for final investigations. He is facing charges of extortion and the kidnapping of Kamogelo Baukudi, 19.

Adoons was granted bail of R2,000 in July, with strict conditions. He may not interfere with the investigation or intimidate state witnesses. He must also report to his nearest police station every Friday and Sunday.

Kamogelo was allegedly kidnapped after school in June by men who impersonated police officers. After the learner was picked up by a driver working for one of his parents in a Suzuki, the alleged kidnappers followed and stopped them near Vereeniging Drive.

Daniel Malebatso, the driver, alleges he heard a siren behind them and the occupants of a white Toyota Hilux double-cab bakkie, fitted with blue “police lights”, pulled them over.

Kamogelo and Malebatso were separated, and Malebatso was told to drive ahead to the Park Road police station while they would follow with Kamogelo. The Toyota Hilux, however, vanished from sight when a truck passed between the Suzuki and the Hilux.

“The matter of Nzima Adoons has been postponed to January for further investigation,” said Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane. “He is facing charges of extortion, as well as kidnapping, and he is out on bail.”

Adoons was linked to the case by the tracker of the vehicle he drove on the day that Kamogelo was kidnapped. This was revealed by investigating officer Lt. Col. Kelaotswe Lebodi when he testified.

Lebodi testified in October that the vehicle tracker apparently placed him at the exact location where Kamogelo was last seen. Five other suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnapping: three at a house in Kanana, Wepener, and two others on the road between Kwetla and Wepener with the victim in their company.

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh