Teboho Setena
Their disappearances remain unexplainable. Despite this, police investigations persist and all possible leads are being followed with the hope to find them alive.
This frantic search is for the kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi (19), a learner of the Martie du Plessis Special School in Bloemfontein, and Lerato Masiu (23) and Lesego Mamello Motaung (22), two women who were reported missing in Bloemfontein late in 2023.
The police have their hands full in trying to piece this puzzle together by locating them and arresting perpetrators involved. In addition, no reward has been offered for information that could lead to the victims’ whereabouts thus far.
A clarion call has been made to the public to assist with reliable information that could help solve these cases. Still no possible clues regarding two young missing women from Bloemfontein
Kamogelo was kidnapped on Thursday, 5 June, at approximately 11:55, after the vehicle he had been travelling in was stopped by two men who allegedly presented themselves as police officers, and accused Kamogelo and his driver of transporting drugs.
The unknown men then took Kamogelo into their vehicle – he has not been seen since.
Thus far, the police have discovered the cellphones of both Kamogelo and his driver, Daniel Malebatso. According to the police, these items were found disposed of under the bridge in Ferreira Road.
In a statement issued on Monday, 16 June, Kamogelo Mogotsi, spokesperson for the Department of Police, said that reinforcements to the established multi-disciplinary investigative team comprises, amongst others, detectives, members of the Crime Intelligence and Visible Policing unit, a hostage negotiator, along with the assistance of private security.
“The team has followed up on various leads, and has spoken to family members and friends. It has also engaged with their sources in an attempt to find the missing teen,” said Mogotsi.
A police officer (42), suspected of being involved in the kidnapping, is set to reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 24 June, following appearances on 9 and 13 June, respectively.
He faces charges of kidnapping and extortion.
Initially, a case of kidnapping and impersonating a police officer was opened at Bloemfontein’s Park Road Police Station on the day of the reported kidnapping.
It was reported that Kamogelo had allegedly been taken by two unknown men, one wearing a police uniform and the other a blue tracksuit.
Brig. Motantsi Makhele, spokesperson for the provincial police, indicated critical information possibly linking the 42-year-old officer and the ongoing probing regarding the kidnapped Kamogelo is sub judice.
■ Impersonation of the police also played an active role in the disappearance of Masiu.
The police reported that information received from Masiu’s parent claimed that before her disappearance, she had come home with an unknown African male who claimed he was a police officer investigating an incident on Facebook, involving Masiu.
She never returned home after leaving with the purported police officer on 16 November 2023, at about 12:30, raising suspicions of human trafficking.
In the case of Motaung’s disappearance, there were conflicting reports.
The police said that according to information received from her aunt, she (Motaung) had left her home in Uitsig, saying she was going to work at a foodchain restaurant in Zastron Street, Westdene.
However, one of Motaung’s colleagues alleged that she had reported being sick with ulcers.
Anyone with information regarding Kamogelo’s whereabout is urged to contact the following investitive officers: Lt Col. Kelaotswe Lebodi on 082 527 6348, Lt Col. David Ramasoala on 082 527 7390, or Capt. Sabata Jafta Moseme on 082 526 2713. Alternatively, they can drop an anonymous tip on the MySAPS App or call the police’s Crime Stop number: 08600 10111.
