Fears Grow as Teen Kamogelo Baukudi Abducted by Fake Cops in Vereeniging

A horrifying daylight kidnapping has stunned the Vaal community

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In a chilling incident that has shaken Vereeniging and sparked a national outcry, 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi was kidnapped on Thursday afternoon by two men pretending to be police officers. The suspects used a white Toyota Hilux decked with blue lights and what appeared to be official police equipment to carry out the abduction.

Kamogelo, a Grade 11 learner at Martie du Plessis School in Fitchardpark, vanished just before noon. Her family and the broader community are now caught in a terrifying waiting game as a police task team urgently tries to track her down.

A normal school pickup turns into a nightmare

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the ordeal began when family friend Daniel Malebatso arrived at the school to pick Kamogelo up, something he had done routinely.

After they left the school in a silver Suzuki Ertiga, they were pulled over by what appeared to be an official police vehicle on Vereeniging Drive, Erlichpark Extension. Inside the bakkie were two men — one dressed in a police uniform and the other in casual blue tracksuits.

The so-called officer accused them of transporting drugs and ordered that the Suzuki be escorted to the Park Road Police Station. But what followed was a betrayal of that supposed protocol.

A staged escort and a sudden disappearance

As Malebatso was directed to drive ahead with Kamogelo still in the car, the suspects followed behind. However, during the drive, a truck came between the two vehicles, and the Toyota Hilux vanished — with Kamogelo inside.

It was only later that Malebatso and the police discovered that both his and Kamogelo’s mobile phones had been discarded under the bridge on Ferrera Road. The name “Thipe” was mentioned by one of the suspects, who reportedly spoke fluent Sesotho — a potential clue investigators are now following.

Community in shock and desperate for answers

Residents of Vereeniging and the wider Vaal region are in disbelief. On social media, hashtags like #BringKamogeloHome and #FakeCops are trending, with locals demanding swift action from law enforcement.

One user wrote: “Our kids are not safe. If criminals can now wear SAPS uniforms and drive with sirens, what hope do we have?”

Another added, “We need answers. We need accountability. How is this even possible in broad daylight?”

Police appeal for urgent assistance

Police have opened a case of kidnapping and impersonating an officer at Parkweg Police Station. Authorities are urging anyone who saw the Toyota Hilux or has information about Kamogelo’s whereabouts to come forward.

Captain Sabata Jafta Moseme is leading the investigation and can be reached at 082 526 2713. Alternatively, tips can be submitted via the MySAPS App or by calling the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111.

The deeper concern: when criminals wear blue

While South Africans are no strangers to crime, incidents involving criminals impersonating law enforcement hit especially hard. It speaks to a trust that has been eroding in recent years — not just in the justice system, but in the very idea of safety in public spaces.

Impersonating officers is not a new tactic, but one that’s become disturbingly more frequent. It’s a reminder of the challenges SAPS faces in distinguishing themselves from those who abuse the badge.

Urgency cannot be overstated

Kamogelo Baukudi’s disappearance is not just a tragic story for her family — it’s a national alarm bell. It demands more than routine investigation. It calls for reflection on how easily trust can be manipulated, and how urgently systemic reforms and public vigilance are needed.

Until she is found, the question haunting South Africans remains: if our children can be stolen in broad daylight by men in uniforms, who will be next?

{Source: The Citizen}

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