The arrest of a City of Cape Town law enforcement officer in connection with a kidnapping and murder case has further eroded public trust in the police force, already reeling from the recent abduction of Free State schoolboy Kamogelo Baukudi, allegedly at the hands of another officer.
Thandile Khesa, 43, appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with kidnapping and murder. His arrest on Monday morning was the culmination of a multi-disciplinary, intelligence-led operation involving the Hawks, the Provincial Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and Provincial Organised Crime detectives.
Khesa is now the fifth accused in the case, joining Mogamat Samuels, Thokozani Kamnjunga, Existing Mudivari, and Yasseen Jele, who are expected to appear in court on Thursday for a bail application, which the State will oppose.
State prosecutor Litha Duka told the court that Khesa allegedly used a marked City of Cape Town Law Enforcement vehicle to transport the victim from Bellville to the location where he was assaulted. CCTV footage purportedly captured the movement of the official vehicle from Bellville to Khayelitsha.
Reading from the charge sheet, Duka explained: “The deceased had gone to view a vehicle advertised by Accused 1, Samuels, and was subsequently kidnapped. The accused demanded a ransom of R100 000 from the victim’s family. The family managed to pay R5 000, but the victim was nonetheless assaulted and died of his injuries. Khesa used a marked City of Cape Town Law Enforcement bakkie in the commission of this crime.”
Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi provided further details, stating that the victim was last seen on 16 May in Kraaifontein by a friend, who said he was headed to Bellville to view a vehicle. Shortly after, the victim phoned another friend, reporting that he had been kidnapped and was being assaulted.
Investigators tracked the suspects to addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei, leading to the arrest of the four initial accused. One of the suspects then led them to the victim’s shallow grave in the dunes near Monwabisi Beach.
Vukubi added: “On 17 May 2025, the team followed all the leads that led them to addresses in Philippi and Kleinvlei which resulted in the arrest of the four accused. The team was led to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi beach and Macassar, where one of the accused pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was killed and buried.”
Prosecutor Duka requested that Khesa be detained at the Bellville police station. The case was postponed to allow Khesa time to appoint a private attorney.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Khesa intends to apply for bail and that arrangements can be made accordingly if his legal representation is in place.
The 42-year-old police sergeant, whose identity is being withheld pending an identity parade, appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday, accused of kidnapping and extortion in relation to Baukudi’s abduction, according to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele. The court postponed the case to Friday to allow for the accused police officer’s formal bail application consultations. The accused remains in police custody.
National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed that a white Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab belonging to the South African Police Service (SAPS) was used in the abduction. “The SAPS had initially reported that fake cops had kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi,” according to Mathe. “Upon further investigation, Free State police have found that the white Toyota Hilux GD6 is SAPS property, and a 42-year-old police sergeant has been arrested. This is highly disappointing and unacceptable,” said Mathe.
Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, Free State police commissioner, has vowed accountability for criminal actions within police ranks and promises no leniency for officers involved in criminality.
Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Covane, a Free State police spokesperson, previously stated that a police task force was looking for Baukudi and the alleged kidnappers.
“The complainant, Daniel Malebatso, arrived at Marti du Plessis School in Fitchardpark as usual to fetch Kamogelo, who is a grade 11 pupil at the school. He left with Kamogelo in a Suzuki Ertiga,” said Covane previously. “While driving along Vereeniging Drive in Erlichpark Extension, Daniel alleges that they heard a siren sounding from behind, and they were pulled over by a White Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab. Inside the Toyota Hilux, there were two unknown men; one was wearing a police uniform and the other was in a blue tracksuit.”
Covane said that the suspects’ bakkie had blue lights on the grill and a police radio inside. “The suspect wearing the police uniform confronted Daniel and informed him that the Suzuki they were driving in with Kamogelo was suspected of delivering drugs. The suspects then separated Daniel and Kamogelo and instructed Daniel to drive in front while they followed from behind to the Park Road police station.”
Both vehicles turned back and drove in a westerly direction on Vereeniging Drive. Cellphones were later found under the bridge.
The fact that two police officers, in separate incidents, are now accused of such heinous crimes has raised serious questions about vetting processes, training, and the overall integrity of law enforcement in South Africa.
Follow Us on Twitter
