Latest news with #Baukudi
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- The Citizen
Police sergeant arrested in Kamogelo Baukudi kidnapping case issued suspension letter
The court also heard testimony detailing the movements of the police vehicle assigned to the officer. Public Order Police (POPs) members at the Tshwane Police Training Academy on 15 June 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu The police sergeant arrested in connection with the disappearance of high school pupil Kamogelo Baukudi has received a suspension letter. Nzima Adoons appeared again in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Thursday for the continuation of his bail application. The 42-year-old police officer faces charges of kidnapping and extortion related to the teenager's abduction. He was arrested on 8 June. Kamogelo Baukudi's disappearance Baukudi had been missing for several weeks after being kidnapped by two suspects posing as police officers in Bloemfontein on 5 June. According to South African Police Service (Saps), the Grade 11 pupil was on his way home from Marti Du Plessis School in Fichardt Park, being transported by Daniel Malebatso, when their Suzuki Ertiga was stopped by a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab. The incident occurred on Vereeniging Drive in Ehrlich Park. ALSO READ: Kamogelo Baukudi: Missing teen needed for ID parade, case postponed The two individuals, pretending to be police officers, accused Malebatso and Baukudi of using their vehicle to transport drugs. They then took the 19-year-old into their Toyota Hilux and instructed Malebatso to drive to Park Road Police Station. Both Malebatso and Baukudi's cellphones were later discovered under a bridge on Ferrera Road. Cop receives suspension letter During Thursday's proceedings, Adoons' legal representative, Adriaan Van Rensburg, informed the court that his client had been issued a letter of intention to suspend. The state clarified the nature of the letter, stating it did not mean the officer had officially been suspended but rather that he had the opportunity to respond to the allegations. 'He's just invited to give reasons why such a process should not be followed on the basis of misconduct and was even afforded legal representation should he wish to pursue,' the prosecutor explained. Vehicle tracking evidence The investigating officer later testified about the police vehicle assigned to Adoons. The officer explained that a description of the vehicle had been provided and based on standard procedures as well as supply chain records, it was possible to determine which vehicles were allocated to whom. He confirmed that the tinted-window Toyota Hilux belonged to Saps' anti-gang unit. Tracking records linked the vehicle to the crime scene and were made available to the investigating team. READ MORE: Kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi found alive The investigator revealed that no other vehicles matching the description were found in the vicinity during the time of Baukudi's kidnapping. The officer also testified that the vehicle assigned to Adoons matched the location of the car the teenager was travelling in at the time of the incident. 'The only vehicle that was identified to be at the scene, at the same time with the Suzuki, is this JCS 216 FS vehicle. 'This vehicle had the same movement with the victim's vehicle. The time and coordinates are the same.' Earlier in the week, Adoons took the stand and denied any knowledge of Baukudi's abduction. Kamogelo Baukudi rescued Baukudi was found alive last Friday in Wepener, leading to the arrest of five men aged between 20 and 29. Three suspects were apprehended at a house in Kanana, while two others were intercepted on the road between Kwetla and Wepener with the high school pupil. However, all five suspects were released from custody this week, as no direct link to the crime could be established. Their case was not enrolled in court, and investigations are ongoing. NOW READ: Baby Mogamat Imaad Shamar found after kidnapping ordeal
IOL News
03-07-2025
- IOL News
Investigating officer links police officer's movements to teenager's abduction case
The investigating officer in Kamogelo Baukudi's kidnapping case has linked a 42-year-old officer to the double-cab vehicle belonging to the State. Image: X The investigating officer in the abduction case involving Kamogelo Baukudi has revealed that the movements of the SAPS vehicle that was issued to the policeman arrested for the teenager's kidnapping match those of the victim's car and places the 42-year-old officer at the crime scene. Baukudi, 19, went missing for 20 days last month. Nzima Adoons, the police officer who is facing charges of kidnapping and extortion, appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Thursday, where his bail application was postponed to next Thursday, July 10. Last month, Adoons was arrested after the vehicle, identified as a white double-cab, used to abduct Baukudi, was linked to him. Baukudi, who has since been reunited with his family, was found alive in Wepener, Free State, last week after being abducted while being driven home from Martie du Plessis Special Needs School. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Adoons has previously denied knowing Baukudi, his family, or anything else related to the kidnapping. However, during testimony before the court on Monday, the investigating officer revealed that the double-cab was assigned to Adoons at the time of the alleged abduction. "The description of the vehicle was given, and we know in most cases, even our supply chain knows which vehicles were allocated to whom on a particular day. This Toyota, as it was given, with dark windows that was identified as being from the anti-gang unit. A follow-up was made using the vehicle tracking system. Upon checking, all the GD6 Vehicles that we know about were also checked if they were never in that area, and there were no other GD6-type vehicles in the area," the officer told the court. Baukudi was rescued by the Free State police last Friday morning, after which five suspects, who have since been released, were arrested during the early morning operation. It is reported that the 42-year-old officer has been issued with a letter of intention for suspension for him to give reasons why he should not be suspended. "Your worship, as far as the documentation is concerned, it should be noted that this is not a suspension, but the intention for suspension. He should give reasons why he should not be suspended. The accused is invited to give reasons," said the State prosecutor to the court.
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- The Citizen
Kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi found alive, police confirm
Six suspects have been arrested. 19 year old Kamogelo Baukudi has been found alive. Picture: Saps The South African Police Service (Saps) has made a major breakthrough and confirmed that the kidnapped 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, 19, has been found alive. The grade 11 pupil from Martie du Plessis School was found alive early on Friday morning, six weeks after he went missing. Baukudi was found by police following a coordinated rescue operation in the Free State. Found alive Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said they are relieved that Baukudi has been found. 'After weeks of intensive investigation, Kamogelo was safely located and rescued in Wepener in the early hours of this morning, 27 June 2025. During this intelligence-driven operation, five African males aged between 20 and 29 were arrested. ALSO READ: Police make breakthrough in search for kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi 'Three suspects were apprehended at a house in Kanana Location, Wepener, while two others were caught on the road between Kwetla Location and Wepener town — with the victim in their possession,' Makhele said. Arrests Makhele added that this brings the total number of arrests in the case to six. 'The first suspect, a 42-year-old police sergeant, who was previously arrested, appeared in court charged with kidnapping and extortion'. 'The suspects face charges related to kidnapping, extortion and will join the police sergeant in court on Monday, 30 June 2025. The investigation continues,' Makhele said. Praise Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, commended the hard work of this team 'The safe recovery of young Kamogelo is a moment of great relief for the family, the community, and all of us. I commend our members for their unwavering efforts, who worked tirelessly following up every lead under serious public scrutiny. We will ensure that justice is served.' ALSO READ: Kidnapped Gqeberha woman Lindsay Knowlden reunited with family Kidnapping A police task team was established to search for Baukudi, who was abducted on Thursday, 5 June 2025, while driving home from school in Vereeniging Drive, Bloemfontein. Police spokesperson Colonel Brigadier Athlenda Mathe at the time said a complainant identified as Daniel Malebatso arrived at Marti Du Plessis School in Fitchardpark as usual to fetch Baukudi, a grade 11 pupil at the school. Task team Mathe said the duo left the school premises with Baukudi, driving the Suzuki Ertiga. 'Whilst driving along Vereeniging Drive Erlichpark Extension, Daniel alleges that they heard a siren sound from behind, and they were pulled over by a White Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab.' Baukudi's disappearance triggered widespread concern and led to the establishment of a dedicated multidisciplinary task team under the leadership of the Mangaung Metro District Commissioner, Major General Arthur Peter Adams. ALSO READ: Gauteng family pleads for safe return of their little daughter
TimesLIVE
15-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
10 days on, no sign of Kamogelo Baukudi: Free State education MEC calls for public's help in finding him
This Sunday marks 10 days since the alleged kidnapping of grade 11 pupil Kamogelo Baukudi and despite police efforts to locate him, he remains missing. Free State education MEC Mantlhake Maboya has appealed to the public to assist police in finding Kamogelo and bringing him back home safely. 'We're concerned and would appeal to members of the public to assist us to assist the police, to assist the family so that we can bring back this boy to the family and the school,' Maboya said. The 19-year-old was allegedly kidnapped by two men impersonating police officers on June 5 . According to a TimesLIVE report, the complainant, Daniel Malebatso, allegedly arrived at Martie du Plessis Special School in Fichardt Park as usual to fetch Baukudi. Provincial police spokesperson Lt-Col Thabo Covane said the two left the school premises with Baukudi driving the Suzuki Ertiga. Malebatso alleged that while driving on Vereeniging Drive in Ehrlich Park, they heard a siren sound from behind and were pulled over by occupants in a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab. Covane said inside the Toyota Hilux there were two unknown men, one wearing a police uniform and the other a blue tracksuit. The suspects' bakkie was allegedly fitted with blue lights on the grill and what appeared to be a police radio inside. Covane said the suspect wearing a police uniform told Malebatso the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving was suspected of delivering drugs. The suspects then allegedly separated Baukudi and Malebatso and instructed Malebatso to drive his vehicle in front of theirs while they followed to the Park Road police station. 'The two vehicles turned back and drove in a westerly direction on Vereeniging Drive. Malebatso alleged a truck moved in between the two vehicles and he did not see the Hilux again. He said one suspect was speaking Sesotho fluently and mentioned the name 'Thipe'. Cellphones belonging to Baukudi and Malebatso were found under a bridge on Ferreira Road.' The Free State department of education said it is working closely with the police and other stakeholders to ensure Kamogelo's safe return. Meanwhile, a 42-year-old police sergeant arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping case briefly appeared in the Bloemfontein magistrate's court last week and remains in custody. The matter was postponed to June 24 to allow for an identity parade to be conducted. The court heard the missing teenager is needed to identify the suspect, but the process cannot proceed as he is still missing.
The Citizen
14-06-2025
- The Citizen
Bloemfontein hopes for teen's return as accused officer's case postponed
On a cold winter's morning on Monday, the hopeful principal of Martie du Plessis School, Francois van Heerden, expressed his appreciation for the support the public has given to the school community, friends and family of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, who has now been missing for a week. 'The only thing you actually have left is hope, which is instrumental and fundamental because if you lose hope you lose everything,' he expressed as he addressed the teachers and officials from the Free State Department of Education who came to the school to show their support. Bloemfontein Courant reports the head of the Department of Education, Adv Tsoarelo Malakoane, echoed this sentiment by highlighting that the kidnapping of the learner brings up many questions about the morality of society. 'Our moral conscience is judged by how well we treat our children, especially children who are vulnerable. Who in their right mind would actually harbour an idea of harming someone who needed our support as a society?' he questioned. Malakoane encouraged the public to continue to stand by those who are directly affected during this time, as the department and school will provide counselling. 'If you feel like you need the support, please take advantage of what is provided to you,' he said. Baukudi was kidnapped by two males impersonating police officers in Vereeniging Drive in Bloemfontein after he was fetched at school last Thursday. At the time of print, police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele confirmed that there are no new developments in the case. The case of the 42-year-old police officer, Philemon Adoon, who has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and extortion, was postponed to yesterday, after the matter was brought forward on Monday. The suspect made calls to Baukudi'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 a ransom demand which kicked in,' Makhele explained. Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae commended the police for their swift response and for not being biased by arresting one of their own. '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,' she expressed after the court proceedings. As the search continues, members of the public who might have any information that can help the police find Baukudi are requested to contact Captain Sabata Jafta Moseme at 082 526 2713, use the MySAPS app, or call the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 with additional information. The Citizen reports that the police officer's case has stalled after the court heard that the missing teenager, who is needed to identify the accused in an identification parade, has not been found. The case against Adoon, charged with kidnapping and extortion in connection with the disappearance of Kamogelo, was postponed to June 24. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
