Latest news with #MartieduPlessisSchool
The South African
27-06-2025
- The South African
JUST IN: Kidnapped Bloem teen Kamogelo Baukudi found
Police have confirmed that Bloemfonteim teenager Kamogelo Baukudi who has been missing for almost a month has been found alive. The 19-year-old Grade 11 learner from Martie du Plessis School who was found alive in Wepener following a coordinated rescue operation. Kamogelo was abducted on Thursday, 5 June while being driven home from school in Verneeniging Drive, Bloemfontein. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Free State Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said after weeks of intensive investigation, Kamogelo was safely located and rescued in Wepener in the early hours of Friday morning, 27 June. Makhele said during this intelligence driven operation, five African males aged between 20 and 29 were arrested. 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. 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. Meanwhile, Free State police commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane has commended the hard work of the multidisciplinary team that found Kamogelo Baukudi. Motswenyane said the safe recovery of young Kamogelo is a moment of great relief for the family, the community, and all. '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.' The suspects face charges related to kidnapping, extortion. They will join the police sergeant in court on Monday 30 June. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
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
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!
