Setback in Kamogelo Baukudi kidnapping case

The case involving 42-year-old police officer, Nzima Adoons, and five of his co-accused linked to the kidnapping of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi has suffered a minor setback.

Adoons was supposed to appear alongside his co-accused before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday after his bail application was moved to July 3 for a further bail hearing. 

However, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the matter involving his co-accused could not proceed as the ongoing investigation is yet to link the suspects to the alleged crime of kidnapping and extortion.

"Please note that the matter will not be enrolled as the investigations are not concluded. The court could not enrol the matter because there is no link between the suspects and the crime. The accused is remanded in custody until his next court appearance," said NPA provincial spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane.

On Monday, ahead of the court proceedings, SAPS provincial spokesperson for the Free State, Motantsi Makhele, indicated that the prosecution had upgraded the case from Schedule 1 to Schedule 5 due to the seriousness of the charges.

"After the arrest of the five suspects on Friday, there was consultation with the investigation team and the prosecution team that they will add these five suspects alongside the sergeant this morning, as they will face the same charges of kidnapping and extortion. We anticipate that out of this, there might be other people added," said.

Baukudi, who has since been reunited with his family, was found alive in Wepener in the Free State last week after he was abducted while being driven home from his Martie du Plesis special school.

The arrest came just days after the alleged kidnappers demanded a ransom of R7 million for the 19-year-old's safe return. 

"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 added.

As a result, five men aged between 20 and 29 have been arrested, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to six.

The learner was allegedly kidnapped by two men impersonating policemen in Fichadtpark, Bloemfontein.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za