BLOEMFONTEIN – The kidnapping and extortion case against suspended police member Sgt Nzima Philemon Adoons (43) is set to go on trial after the state’s arguments in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court.

Mojalefa Senokoatsane, provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa, confirmed the development, adding that the matter has been postponed to 26 November for trial. “The state is proceeding with its case against the accused,” said Senokoatsane.

Adoons faces charges of kidnapping and extortion. He was released on bail set at R2 000 with strict conditions. The conditions require Adoons to report to his nearest police station twice a week and strictly forbid him from contacting state witnesses or interfering with the final stages of the investigation.

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The criminal case against Adoons stemmed from the puzzling abduction and kidnapping of Kamogelo Baukudi, a learner at the Martie du Plessis Special School in Bloemfontein in June last year. His kidnappers reportedly impersonated police officers and were using a marked vehicle and blue lights. The learner was later rescued in Wepener.

The officer became a prime suspect amongst five others who were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and abduction which occurred in broad-daylight. The other five were released due to insufficient evidence linking them to the incident.

Investigators linked Adoons to the crime through the vehicle tracker of the police vehicle he was driving on the day of the abduction, which placed him at the exact location where Kamogelo was last seen. A ransom of R7 million was allegedly demanded from Kamogelo’s family for his release.

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