Latest news with #DanielMalebatso
The Herald
8 hours ago
- The Herald
Police sergeant arrested in connection with kidnapping of Free State school pupil
Free State police have made a breakthrough in the case of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi who was allegedly kidnapped by two men posing as police officers on Thursday. According to the police, a 42-year-old police sergeant has been arrested and detained in Bloemfontein in connection with the kidnapping. He is expected to appear in court soon. Free State police commissioner Lt-Gen Baile Motswenyane said the investigation has now entered a crucial phase. 'The involvement of any SAPS member in criminal acts will not be tolerated. Culprits will be held accountable — even if they are within our own ranks,' said Motswenyane. According to a TimesLIVE report, the complainant, Daniel Malebatso, allegedly arrived at Martie du Plessis Special School in Fichardt Park as usual to fetch Baukudi, a grade 11 pupil at the school. Provincial police spokesperson Lt-Col Thabo Covane said the two left the school premises with Baukudi driving the Suzuki Ertiga. While driving on Vereeniging Drive in Ehrlich Park, Malebatso alleged they heard a siren sound from behind and were pulled over by occupants in a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab. Covane said inside the Toyota Hilux, there were two unknown men, one wearing a police uniform and the other a blue tracksuit. The suspects' bakkie was allegedly fitted with blue lights on the grill and what appeared to be a police radio inside. Covane said the suspect wearing a police uniform told Malebatso the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving was suspected of delivering drugs. The suspects then allegedly separated Baukudi and Malebatso and instructed Malebatso to drive his vehicle in front while they followed to the Park Road police station. 'The two vehicles turned back and drove in a westerly direction on Vereeniging Drive. Malebatso alleged a truck moved in between the two vehicles and he did not see the Hilux again. He said one suspect was speaking Sesotho fluently and mentioned the name 'Thipe'. Cellphones belonging to Baukudi and Malebatso were found under a bridge on Ferreira Road.' Police have urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation. TimesLIVE
News24
3 days ago
- News24
Free State police seek Grade 11 pupil kidnapped by ‘fake' cops
Free State police are searching for 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, who was allegedly abducted by two men impersonating police officers. The men were driving a white Toyota Hilux with blue lights and a siren when they allegedly stopped Baukudi and a family friend, Daniel Malebatso. Baukudi was allegedly separated from Malebatso, and their cellphones were later found abandoned under a bridge. Free State police have launched a manhunt for 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, who was allegedly abducted by two men who pretended to be police officers on Thursday. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said the incident unfolded shortly after Baukudi, a Grade 11 pupil at Martie Du Plessis Special Needs School in Fichardt Park, was picked up as usual by a family friend, Daniel Malebatso. Covane said Baukudi was reportedly driving the Suzuki Ertiga when they left the school. While travelling along Vereeniging Drive in Ehrlich Park, a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab fitted with blue lights and with a police siren blaring stopped them. 'Inside the Toyota Hilux, there were two unknown male persons, one wearing a police uniform and the other a blue tracksuit,' Covane said. 'According to the complainant [Malebatso], the suspects' bakkie was fitted with blue lights on the grill and what looked like a police radio inside.' Covane said the man wearing the police uniform accused Baukudi and Malebatso of being involved in drug transportation using the Suzuki Ertiga. He said the men ordered Malebatso to lead their convoy to Park Road police station, with Baukudi inside the vehicle with the men. However, during the journey on Vereeniging Drive, Malebatso lost sight of them. 'Daniel alleges that a truck went between the Suzuki he was driving and the Toyota Hilux, and he never saw it again,' Covane said. 'Daniel recalls that one of the suspects was speaking Sesotho fluently and even mentioned the name 'Thipe'.' The cellphones of both Baukudi and Malebatso were discovered abandoned under the Ferreira Road bridge. WATCH | Barefoot, injured, malnourished: Over 20 'kidnapped' men found in Centurion Police have since opened a case of kidnapping and impersonation of police officials at Park Road police station. Anyone with information or who might have seen the vehicles in Vereeniging Drive is urged to contact Captain Sabata Jafta Moseme on 082 5262 713. Alternatively, information can be sent anonymously via the MySAPS App or by calling the Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
