Kidnapped Bloemfontein learner still missing as cop's case delayed again
It has been three weeks since the kidnapping of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi. SAPS have deployed maximum resources to find the missing Martie Du Plessis Special School Bloemfontein learner.
Bloemfontein Courant reports that according to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, investigations are ongoing and maximum resources have been deployed.
Free State police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane told Bloemfontein Courant that external communication has been cut off due to the sensitivity of the case.
The case of the 42-year-old police officer charged with kidnapping and extortion was first heard on June 13 and initially postponed to yesterday to allow for an ID parade with the victim, who is still missing.
It has now been further postponed to Monday.
Free State launches school safety campaign
The Free State Department of Education launched the Provincial School Safety Campaign a week after Kamogelo's kidnapping. According to the department, the campaign aims to reignite conversations around bullying, gangsterism, gender-based violence, sexism, and substance use in schools.
'Our schools are not always the safe spaces they ought to be. For too many children, walking into a classroom comes with anxiety, not assurance,' said HOD Adv Tsoarelo Malakoane at the launch at Tjhebelopele Primary School in Bloemfontein.
Motheo education director December Moloi shared concerning statistics, calling for intensified parental involvement and contributions from all corners of society.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Elderly woman raped at her home on The Bluff
Elderly woman raped at her home on The Bluff POLICE in Brighton Beach have launched a manhunt for a man who raped a 55-year-old woman at her home recently. According to the police, the victim was at her home when an unknown man walked in and demanded cash. After the suspect gained entry, the police said he raped the victim before he took a cellphone and an undisclosed amount of cash, and fled the scene. Also read: Education Department devises plans to root out crime in schools Police spokesperson for eThekwini District Captain Carmen Rhynes said the police are investigating a case of rape. The police are appealing to anyone who might have information to contact the Brighton Beach police station. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Patriotic Alliance crisis — McKenzie set to announce next move in Kunene saga
All eyes will be on the Patriotic Alliance as it seeks to clarify the next steps in the ongoing Kenny Kunene saga after his resignation from the City of Johannesburg council. On Monday, 28 July, Patriotic Alliance (PA) president Gayton McKenzie is expected to announce the party's new representative in the City of Johannesburg following the resignation of Kenny Kunene, the party's deputy president. Kunene resigned as councillor and as Johannesburg mayoral committee member (MMC) for transport on 25 July after he was found at the Sandton house of murder accused Katiso 'KT' Molefe earlier in the week when police were there to arrest Molefe. Party spokesperson Steve Motale told Daily Maverick that, as the party, 'we believe in the innocence' of Kunene. Kunene has been suspended from PA activities for 30 days while an internal investigation is under way. However, Motale said there was no replacement for Kunene and he 'remains the deputy president'. Kunene would return to work as soon as the investigation had been concluded. McKenzie is expected to issue an update on Kunene on Monday, in an address to party followers on Facebook. Kunene made headlines after he was seen at the home of Molefe, who was arrested in connection with the killing of Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody, in a 2022 drive-by shooting in Woodmead, Johannesburg. He died alongside his bodyguard after the vehicle they were travelling in was peppered with bullets. As Daily Maverick reported, Kunene claimed he was not friends with Molefe, but had visited the Sandton house in his capacity as owner of online publication African News Global. He had gone there with an unnamed individual who had arranged for Kunene's media company to conduct an exclusive interview with Molefe. Alongside Kunene was an unnamed journalist who would be conducting the interview. In a media blitz last week Kunene claimed to be in the process of removing himself from the publication owing to time constraints, and handing it over to young journalists. McKenzie described Kunene as his brother, and the two are godparents to each other's children. Kunene, McKenzie said, 'would never get involved with murders. That's not him. He's a good man.' Kunene's suspension and resignations On Friday, 25 July, McKenzie posted on X about his communication with party secretary-general Chinelle Stevens about Kunene's suspension as PA deputy president. In his letter, McKenzie said this came from engagements with Kunene 'regarding certain allegations that have arisen against him. These relate to a public perception that his provided reasons for being found at the home of an alleged member of a murder syndicate should be tested.' According to McKenzie, Kunene 'has agreed to cooperate with an investigation, which will be led by a competent legal team. Until such time as he is fully cleared, he has agreed to step aside from his political role in the PA, and he will therefore not act and work in any official capacity in the party while on suspension.' Kunene then also resigned as councillor and transport MMC, in letters addressed to Johannesburg council speaker Margarete Arnolds and mayor Dada Morero. This is the hardest letter I ever had to write in my entire life, for sake of full transparency I am putting it here. — Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) July 26, 2025 As Daily Maverick has reported, only Morero has the prerogative to remove or replace MMCs, which he can do at any time and without council approval, according to section 60 of the Municipal Systems Act. This crisis has engulfed the PA during a week in which it won another by-election – in the DA heartland of Drakenstein (Paarl, Wellington) – as the party steadily makes inroads across the country in terms of electoral support at local government level. It is also part of the Government of National Unity. The DA in Johannesburg said it noted Kunene's resignation. Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the party's Johannesburg caucus leader, said in a statement that even though Kunene was no longer a councillor, the party still demanded an investigation of 'all contracts and procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA); full investigation into the contractors and procurement of the Lilian Ngoyi Street Repairs; full investigation into contracts, appointments and procurement processes at the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC)'. Kunene, as transport MMC, had direct political oversight of these processes, organisations and projects. Daily Maverick's ongoing reporting in Johannesburg reveals potholes, unstable leadership and service delivery problems, from water to roads. Kayser-Echeozonjoku said: 'Should the Executive Mayor fail to respond to the DA within 7 days, the DA will use all avenues at our disposal, including approaching law enforcement with the information available to us, to hold the Executive Mayor as Shareholder representative himself responsible for the alleged irregularities at JRA and MTC.' Kunene's resignation from the mayoral committee comes as a reshuffle is due for Morero, since Arnolds is no longer the finance MMC after becoming speaker. Motale told Daily Maverick that the PA still had a seat on the mayoral committee and Morero would communicate the next steps soon. Good party councillor in Johannesburg, Matthew Cook, said that 'while questions remain regarding his relationship with murder-accused Katiso 'KT' Molefe, we acknowledge Kunene's decision to step aside as a responsible and necessary step in defence of public trust.' Cook, who is the party's national chairperson, said: 'Kunene's resignation, while not an admission of wrongdoing, demonstrates a degree of maturity often absent in local government. His departure allows space for due process, transparency and a fair resolution in the interest of all parties involved.' He continued: 'Johannesburg has no shortage of urgent issues demanding attention: collapsing infrastructure, growing commuter frustrations, service delivery backlogs and a need to overhaul the city's transport networks. These challenges require an MMC that is fully focused, credible and above reproach.' He said: 'Good remains committed to placing the interests of Johannesburg's residents above politics. We support all efforts to promote ethical governance, safeguard due process and reinforce a culture of accountability, transparency and dignity in local government.' DM
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Two cops granted R3000 bail over truck looting incident
An ongoing investigation into the looting of a cargo truck carrying washing powder has led to multiple arrests, including police officers. Image: File Limpopo police have intensified their investigation into the looting of a cargo truck carrying washing powder, arresting two more suspects, bringing the total to five, including three officers implicated in the crime. Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that two more suspects, aged 39 and 51, were arrested at their homes on July 25 for their role in the July 14 looting of washing powder from a cargo truck. The pair are members of the public who allegedly took part in the brazen theft. Previously, The Star reported on how a cargo truck transporting washing powder veered off the road, causing its load to spill onto the road. As the driver attempted to manage the scene, chaos broke out, with bystanders, two police officers, and a SAPS cleaner allegedly seen helping themselves to the scattered goods. Instead of assisting, the officers reportedly loaded the detergent into a marked police vehicle and drove off, ignoring the driver's pleas to stop the looting. The driver, however, managed to gather critical information, which helped spark an investigation and led to several arrests. Some of the stolen items were later found at the residence of one of the implicated police officers. Ledwaba added that the three suspects, all employed by SAPS in Modimolle, were arrested for theft and defeating the ends of justice. They have since appeared in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court on July 25, where they were each granted bail. Their next court appearance is set for October 2. "Warrant Officer Frans Ndlovu (55) and Warrant Officer Lesiba Boya (49) were granted bail of R3000 each. Meanwhile, Cleaner Lucas Moima (50) was granted R5000 bail. They will appear again on 02 October 2025 for further Police investigation." The two newly arrested suspects are expected to appear in the local Magistrate's Court on Monday, 28 July 2025, to face theft charges. The Star [email protected]
