Cape Town – Police in the Free State have intensified efforts to find missing 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, who was allegedly abducted in Bloemfontein last Thursday by two men, one dressed in a police uniform.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, Baukudi was abducted at around 11:55am on 5 June while travelling with a friend, Daniel Malebatso, along Vereeniging Drive in the Erlichpark Extension area.
#sapsFS A Search Task Team has launched a search for 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, who was #kidnapped by two males impersonating the police earlier today along Vereeniging Drive Erlichpark Extension. The suspects were driving a White Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab with one wearing… pic.twitter.com/Ha1b6gjtTJ
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 5, 2025
Reports on Monday said that a 42-year-old police officer, linked to the vehicle used in the abduction, has been arrested and will appear in court.
Authorities have strengthened the special task team led by Major General Adams, dedicating maximum resources to safely recover Baukudi and bring those responsible to justice.
“We have deployed maximum resources within this team which is being led by Major General Adams in an effort to locate 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi. The team is clear and uncompromised – the mandate is to bring Kamo home safe, alive and apprehend whoever is behind this barbaric act. According to the provincial commissioner, the investigation has reached a very critical stage and all we can do is to support the community and the family at large,” SABC News quoted Free State Police spokesperson Motantsi Makheleas saying.
His disappearance has sparked safety concerns in the community, prompting prayer services by classmates and teachers who describe him as a lively and much-loved individual.
According to The Citizen, Free State SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, has reaffirmed the police’s strong dedication to fully uncovering the truth surrounding Kamogelo Baukudi’s abduction.
Malebatso told police he had fetched Kamogelo from school as usual, with Kamogelo driving a Suzuki Ertiga.
As they travelled, they were pulled over by a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab fitted with blue lights and what appeared to be a police radio.
“According to the complainant, the suspects’ bakkie was fitted with blue lights on the grill and what looked like a police radio inside.
“The suspect wearing police uniform confronted Daniel Malebatso and informed him that the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving in together with Kamogelo was suspected of delivering drugs.
“The suspects then separated Daniel and Kamogelo and instructed Daniel to drive at the front whilst they followed from behind to Park Road Police Station,” Covane said.
“Both vehicles turned back and drove in westerly direction in Vereeniging Drive. Daniel alleges that a truck went in-between the Suzuki he was driving and the Toyota Hilux and he never saw it again.
“Daniel recalls that one of the suspects was speaking Sesotho fluently and even mentioned the name “Thipe”. The cellphones of both Daniel and Kamogelo were found under the bridge on Ferrera Road.”
Malebatso described one of the suspects as speaking fluent Sesotho and reportedly mentioning the name “Thipe”.
A case of kidnapping and impersonating a police officer has been opened at Parkweg Police Station.
Police are urging anyone with information about Kamogelo Baukudi’s whereabouts or sightings of the white Toyota Hilux to come forward.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
