A 32-year-old Mpumalanga police officer is expected to appear at the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Tuesday charged with assault and hurling insults at police in Limpopo.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba, the police officer attached to the Lydenburg SAPS in Mpumalanga was arrested on Saturday night.
Ledwaba said the officer was arrested on charges of defeating the ends of justice, assault on police, crimen injuria and resisting arrest. This follows an incident that occurred in Mashamothane village in Sekhukhune District, Limpopo.
Interfered in arrest of suspect
Ledwaba said according to reports, the police were busy tracing a firearm following the arrest of two suspects. The men, accused of robbery, were rescued after being attacked by community members.
He said one suspect was found in possession of a firearm in a shack after they were rescued.
“While the police were busy effecting arrest, the police officer who happens to be related to the suspect started interfering with their duties, while using vulgar words. The police managed to arrest the suspect and proceeded to the police station for detention,” said Ledwaba.
“The police officer followed them and upon arrival, he continued to insult the officers on duty. They opened the cases against him and he resisted arrest. But he was eventually detained,” said Ledwaba.
He said the suspect and the police officer will appear before the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Search continues for kidnapped Free State teen
Ledwaba said police investigations into the case are ongoing.
Meanwhile, police minister Senzo Mchunu said maximum resources have been deployed in the case relating to the disappearance of 19-year-old school pupil Kamogelo Baukudi from Bloemfontein in the Free State.
Baukudi was kidnapped on Thursday, June 5 2025, at approximately 11.55am. This happened after the vehicle he was travelling in was stopped for being suspected of delivering drugs. The incident was allegedly carried out by two men impersonating police officers. They took Baukudi into their vehicle and kidnapped him.
Following the reporting of the incident, Mchunu said a multi-disciplinary team was established. It includes detectives, members from Crime Intelligence and Visible Policing, a hostage negotiator and the Private Security Industry.
“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. Several briefings to the Ministry on updates have taken place.
Cop arrested, teen still missing
“To date, one individual has been arrested, is in custody and will appear in court again on 24 June 2025. The investigation is still underway. And the Ministry assures the public that maximum resources have been deployed to ensure Kamogelo’s safe return,” said Mchunu.
The arrested individual is a 42-year-old police sergeant. He has been arrested in connection with Baukudi’s disappearance.
The police sergeant appeared at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court last week on charges of kidnapping and extortion.
He will return to court on June 24 2025, and he remains in police custody.
