• “We are hopeful… we will not rest until we find those responsible” — General Fannie Masemola

Centurion, Gauteng – The search for three missing South African Police Service (SAPS) constables has taken a heartbreaking turn, with police confirming the recovery of four bodies from the Hennops River in Centurion. The case, which has gripped the nation, remains under active investigation, with two of the recovered bodies believed to be linked to the missing officers.

The missing officers — Constables Boipelo Senoge (20), Cebekhulu Linda (24), and Keamogetswe Buys (30) — were last seen early Thursday morning at a petrol station near the Grasmere toll plaza on the N1. They were reportedly traveling in a white VW Polo hatchback with registration number JCL 401 FS, which has still not been located.

SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, confirmed that an intensive search led to the discovery of the bodies in the river. However, identities have not yet been officially confirmed, pending forensic analysis. The police remain on high alert as they continue their efforts to recover additional evidence — and potentially, the missing vehicle.

At the scene on Tuesday, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, revealed that two of the four bodies are believed to be unrelated to the disappearance of the SAPS officers. “One of the bodies recovered is that of a white person,” General Sibiya added. “We are treating each recovery with care, and further investigations are underway.”

Families of the missing constables have arrived on the scene from Bloemfontein, anxiously awaiting identification of the deceased and updates from the police. The emotional toll is palpable as they join authorities at the riverbank during the ongoing search and recovery operations.

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has reaffirmed the SAPS’s commitment to justice, reiterating a R350,000 reward for any information that could aid in solving the case. “We are hopeful and will find whoever is behind this,” he said during a press briefing in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

The tragic development has sparked national concern and an outpouring of sympathy for the families involved. The public is urged to come forward with any information that may assist the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.