By Lulama kaSozathini
CENTURION, Gauteng — In a grim development to a story that has gripped the nation, National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, confirmed that three of the five bodies discovered in the Hennops River on Monday are those of South African Police Service (SAPS) members who had been reported missing.
The fallen officers — Constables Linda Cebekhulu, Keamogetswe Buys, and Boipelo Senoge — were positively identified by their grieving families. The confirmation brings a painful end to an intensive, multi-provincial search operation that spanned Gauteng, Free State, and Limpopo.
Speaking at the scene near the N1 highway, General Masemola detailed the painstaking work that led investigators to the Hennops River. “The high-level team assigned to this case has worked around the clock,” said Masemola, describing how evidence and leads traced a route from Grasmere Toll Plaza, through the Buccleugh interchange, and onto John Voster Drive.
The investigation reached a turning point on Monday when drone footage and forensic analysis led authorities to the riverbank. A collaborative effort involving SAPS, the HAWKS, the Cybercrime Unit, Counter-Intelligence, Bidvest Protea Coin Airwing, and Gauteng Traffic Airwing yielded a significant discovery.
Investigators first recovered parts believed to belong to a VW Polo along the N1. This led them to a Renault Kangoo panel van submerged at the river’s edge. Inside, divers found two bodies — one belonging to the driver of the Renault, later identified as a SAPS employee from Lyttleton Police Station, and the other, Constable Boipelo Senoge.
As nightfall halted further search efforts, operations resumed early Tuesday morning. A third body, believed to be that of Constable Linda Cebekhulu, was recovered. A fourth body, severely decomposed and yet to be identified, was also found. Later that afternoon, the fifth body was confirmed to be Constable Keamogetswe Buys.
“This is not the outcome we had hoped for,” General Masemola said solemnly. “But we are relieved that we can bring some form of closure to the families and to the broader SAPS community.”
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is far from over. The VW Polo connected to the missing officers has still not been located. “We are not in a position to speculate whether this was an accident or something more sinister,” added Masemola. “We believe the vehicle will hold vital answers.”
As investigations continue, SAPS leadership extended heartfelt thanks to the families of the victims and to the dedicated officers who carried out the exhaustive search.
The police service is now left to mourn the tragic loss of three dedicated officers, while searching for the final puzzle piece that may explain how they came to such a tragic end.
@icamagunews
