For nearly a week, police teams had scoured Gauteng, Free State, and Limpopo in a high-stakes search for Constable Keamogetswe Buys, Constable Boipelo Senoge, and Constable Cebekhulu Linda. Despite intense efforts and round-the-clock work from an elite investigative task force, the outcome is one no one wanted.

A key lead brought investigators to the stretch of the N1 highway between the Grasmere Toll Plaza and the Buccleuch Interchange, eventually guiding them to John Voster Drive. The search then shifted to the Hennops River, where authorities made the grim discovery.

On Monday, a joint effort involving SAPS drone pilots, the cybercrime and counter-intelligence units, the Hawks, Gauteng Traffic Airwing, and private air support from Bidvest Protea Coin, uncovered debris thought to be from a VW Polo. The trail led to a Renault Kangoo panel van by the riverbank, where diving teams recovered two bodies, one identified as an administrative clerk from Lyttleton Police Station, and the other confirmed to be Constable Senoge.

Due to fading light, the search was halted for the night. On Tuesday morning, divers found a third body, believed to be Constable Linda. Later in the day, they discovered a fourth, severely decomposed body, yet to be identified. By the afternoon, the fifth and final body, that of Constable Buys, was recovered.

Grieving families were brought to the mortuary to identify their loved ones, bringing devastating closure to a case that has gripped the nation.

Authorities have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, with a critical piece of the puzzle still missing, the VW Polo involved. While speculation is mounting, officials are holding off on drawing conclusions about whether the deaths resulted from an accident or foul play.

“This is not the outcome we hoped for,” said National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. “But at least we can now offer some measure of closure to the families and the SAPS community.”

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Speaking after meeting with the families of the missing officers, Constable Boipelo Senoge (20), Cebekhulu Linda (24), and Keamogetswe Buys (30), General Masemola reaffirmed the SAPS’s full commitment to finding the members and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.

General Masemola, alongside Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya and Provincial Commissioner of the Free State Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, briefed the families on the status of the investigation. He emphasised that the matter is being handled at the highest level, with significant resources deployed to secure the safe return of the officers.

A multi-disciplinary team comprising experienced detectives, crime intelligence operatives, and members of specialised units such as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), and the SAPS Cybercrime Unit has been assembled. Personnel from Limpopo, Free State, and Gauteng provinces are all contributing expertise to the investigation.

General Masemola stressed that finding the missing officers alive and unharmed remains the primary focus. The second objective is to apprehend those responsible for their disappearance. He assured the public that the investigation is at a critical and sensitive stage, and that every piece of information is being thoroughly pursued.

“We will not allow criminals to undermine the authority of the state,” Masemola said, issuing a direct warning to those involved to surrender to authorities. He reaffirmed the SAPS’s stance that it does not negotiate with criminals.

Two of the missing members are attached to the SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit in the Free State and were undertaking duties in Limpopo. Constable Senoge, the youngest of the three, is based at Park Road Police Station and currently serves in the Community Service Centre.

Highlighting the SAPS’s determination to resolve the case swiftly, General Masemola announced a reward of R350,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of the officers or those responsible for their disappearance. Members of the public are encouraged to contact Captain Chaacha Manga on 082 527 6099 with any information. All tip-offs will be treated with the strictest confidentiality, and anonymity will be respected.

General Masemola appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed anything unusual, particularly around the Grasmere Toll Plaza area four days ago, to come forward. He noted that community assistance has been crucial in solving past serious crimes, including cases of kidnapping, murder, and sexual assault.

General Masemola further acknowledged the challenging and often dangerous environment in which police officers operate daily, reiterating that the SAPS remains committed to the protection and service of the South African people.

Support structures, including Employee Health and Wellness professionals, psychologists, and chaplains, have been mobilised under the guidance of the Free State Provincial Commissioner to assist the families during this difficult period.

General Masemola concluded by stating that speculation about motives would be premature at this stage, but he expressed confidence that the investigation would lead to a breakthrough in due course. He reaffirmed that the SAPS would not rest until the missing members are found and justice is served.

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