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A police task team in Bloemfontein, South Africa, has launched an urgent manhunt for 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi, who was allegedly kidnapped by two men posing as police officers.
According to authorities, Baukudi—a Grade 11 learner at Marti du Plessis School in Fichardt Park—was being picked up from school by Daniel Malebatso, who routinely provides her transportation. The two had just left the school premises in a silver Suzuki Ertiga when they were stopped on Vereeniging Drive in Ehrlich Park.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said Malebatso reported hearing sirens before being pulled over by a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab, which had blue lights fitted to its grille and appeared to contain a police radio.
“Inside the Toyota Hilux were two unknown men—one dressed in a police uniform and the other in a blue tracksuit,” said Covane. The man in uniform allegedly informed Malebatso that their vehicle was suspected of being involved in drug-related activity.
The suspects then separated the two. Malebatso was instructed to drive ahead while the suspects followed him, claiming they were headed to the Park Road police station. However, while travelling west along Vereeniging Drive, a truck passed between the vehicles, and Malebatso lost sight of the Hilux. Baukudi has not been seen since.
Later, Malebatso found both his and Baukudi’s cellphones discarded under a bridge on Ferrera Road. He also reported that one of the suspects spoke fluent Sesotho and mentioned the name “Thipe.”
Police have opened a case of kidnapping and impersonating a police officer at Parkweg Police Station. Authorities are urging members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation.
