South African police have confirmed the recovery of the bodies of three missing police constables from the Hennops River, following an intensive six-day search across multiple provinces. The officers — Boipelo Senoge, 20, Cebekhulu Linda, 24, and Keamogetswe Buys, 30 — were last seen leaving a petrol station near Johannesburg on Wednesday last week. Their disappearance prompted a widespread search operation.
Divers located the bodies in the Hennops River, near Centurion, approximately 70km (43 miles) from where the officers were last seen. In total, five bodies were recovered from the site between Monday and Tuesday. Among them was a police administrative clerk who had reportedly been driving a Renault Kangoo van also found near the river. The fifth body has not yet been identified due to advanced decomposition.
Conflicting Statements from Police Officials
Initial reports from the South African Police Service (SAPS) suggested that the case may have involved “possible hijacking and kidnapping.” However, police have since revised their public position. On Tuesday, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola stated that investigators would not yet speculate on the cause of death.
“We don’t want to speculate at this stage what led to the discovery of these bodies in this river, whether it was an accident or not,” said Gen Masemola. “Our investigation will reveal those aspects once we find their vehicle.”
This statement marks a shift from comments made on Sunday, when Gen Masemola took a firmer stance. He warned potential suspects: “We cannot have criminals undermine the authority of the state by kidnapping three police officers. This is just a stern warning to those behind this incident — either you hand yourselves over, or we will fetch you ourselves.”
Unresolved Questions and Ongoing Search
The missing constables were travelling in a white Volkswagen Polo when they disappeared. Their mobile phones and the vehicle’s tracking device were switched off soon after they were last seen. Police say they are still searching for the Polo.
According to Gen Masemola, the search team “spent sleepless nights combing the length and breadth” of the Gauteng, Free State, and Limpopo provinces before parts of a vehicle believed to be the VW Polo were discovered.
Authorities have yet to confirm how the constables and the others came to be in the river. The condition of the remains and lack of the officers’ vehicle have left key questions unanswered.
Public Reaction and Memorials
The disappearance and subsequent discovery of the officers’ bodies has drawn significant public attention. Social media platforms were filled with messages of support and prayers during the search. After the discovery, loved ones and community members gathered at the Hennops River, holding candles in remembrance.
Images of the police officers, Keamogetswe Buys and Cebekhulu Linda circulated widely online. In one, Buys is seen taking a selfie in a white top. In another, Linda is pictured standing by a mirror, dressed in a white top and grey trousers.
Police have urged the public to come forward with any information that could aid in the investigation.
