A shocking ransom demand has been made for the safe return of Kamogelo Baukudi, a 19-year-old Grade 11 learner from Bloemfontein’s Martie du Plessis Special School. Baukudi was abducted 20 days ago by two men posing as police officers, who stopped a driver sent to pick her up and took her away in their vehicle.
The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of R7 million for Baukudi’s safe return. This revelation led to Sergeant Philemon Adoons, a 42-year-old police officer already in custody for the abduction, being charged with a schedule five offence after his court appearance on Tuesday 24 June 2025 under the heavy guard of his own colleagues. Adoons was arrested following a police investigation that linked him to a police vehicle used in the kidnapping.
According to an earlier report by Free State Policespokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, the abduction occurred on 5 June when two men posing as police officers stopped the driver and instructed Baukudi to get into their car, claiming that their vehicle was suspected of transporting drugs. However, en route to the supposed police station, the kidnappers disappeared after a truck intervened.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is working to ensure justice is served, while Baukudi’s family and the community anxiously await her safe return. The police continue their investigation, and efforts to secure Baukudi’s release are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Free State and Northern Cape NPA Regional Spokesperson Mojalefa Senokotsoane said the accused has indicated to the court that he is intending to hire an advocate for his bail application that is expected to be heard in the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on the 30 June 2025.