The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed a major breakthrough in the kidnapping case of Kamogelo Baukudi, a 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 2025, while being driven home from school along Verneeniging Drive in Bloemfontein. His disappearance sparked widespread concern, prompting the establishment of a dedicated multidisciplinary task team led by Mangaung Metro District Commissioner, Major General Arthur Peter Adams.
After weeks of intensive investigations, Kamogelo was safely located and rescued in Wepener in the early hours of 27 June 2025. The intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of five African males aged between 20 and 29. 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, was previously arrested and has already appeared in court, facing charges of kidnapping and extortion.
The five newly arrested suspects will join the police sergeant in court on Monday, 30 June 2025, facing charges related to kidnapping and extortion. The investigation remains ongoing.
