Free State Police have confirmed a major breakthrough in the kidnapping of 19‑year‑old Kamogelo Baukudi from Bloemfontein. The teenager, a Grade 11 student at Martie du Plessis Special School, was found alive early Friday morning in Wepener after more than three weeks in captivity.
Kamogelo was abducted on June 5, 2025, while being driven home from school by his caretaker, Daniel Malebatso. They were near Vereeniging Drive in the Erlichpark area when a white Toyota Hilux double‑cab blocked their Suzuki Ertiga with flashing blue lights. Inside the Hilux were two men—one wearing a police uniform, the other dressed in a blue tracksuit. The impostors claimed the vehicle was suspected of carrying drugs, separated the pair, and forced Kamogelo into the Hilux before driving off.
The kidnappers even ordered Malebatso to lead them to Park Road Police Station in convoy, but a truck intervened and the two vehicles split up. After that, the fake police took Kamogelo away and discarded the cellphones of both victims under a bridge on Ferreira Road.
Police launched a large‑scale operation, involving both local and provincial units in the Free State. Resources were said to be “maxed out,” and senior commissioner Lt‑Gen Baile Motswenyane personally praised the team for their commitment. An intelligence‑led task force under Mangaung District Commissioner Maj‑Gen Arthur Adams followed up multiple leads across the region.
On the early hours of Friday, the operation succeeded. Officers arrested five men aged between 20 and 29. Three were held at a house in Kanana Location, Wepener, and two others were stopped on the road between Kwetla Location and Wepener—Kamogelo was still in the vehicle at the time. These arrests raised the number of suspects to six, as a 42‑year‑old police sergeant had already been arrested and charged with kidnapping and extortion earlier in June.
Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said all six suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 30 June 2025, to face charges that include kidnapping and extortion.
Lt‑Gen Motswenyane described the rescue as “a moment of great relief for the family, the community, and all of us,” and praised officers for their diligence. She emphasized that no one in the police, even sworn officers, will be protected if found guilty of criminal activity.
Kamogelo has now been reunited with his family and is reported to be safe. The broader police investigation continues as the accused remain in custody.
