SAPS Officers Found Dead in Hennops River – SAPS update on missing vehicle

SAPS confirms that vehicle parts including a front and rear vehicle bumper have been found by the search and rescue teams working on this operation.

All three families have been notified of this latest development.

Experts are trying to establish if these vehicle parts are linked to the VW polo that the three police officers were travelling in. A police reflector jacket belonging to one of the deceased police officers has also been found. SAPS divers, City of Tshwane divers and EMS, SAPS Special Task Force (STF) divers, Search and Rescue South Africa, have located a metal object that they suspect may be the missing vehicle. This metal object was felt by divers 4km from the N1. There is no confirmation as yet that this metal object is covered by debris.

SAPS Crime Intelligence, the cybercrime unit, detectives, Lyttleton Community Police Forum (CPF) Traffic, fidelity secure fire, vision tactical private security are also forming part of this operation.

Source

 

Summary of the information available regarding the tragic discovery of the bodies in the Hennops River, Centurion, including the missing SAPS officers and the groundsman:

1. Victims Identified:

  • Three missing SAPS constables (reported missing 23 April 2025):

    • Constable Keamogetswe Buys

    • Constable Boipelo Senoge

    • Constable Cebekhulu Linda

  • Lyttelton Police Station groundsman (name not yet released).

2. Key Findings During Search:

  • Vehicle Parts Discovered:

    • Front and rear bumpers recovered by search teams.

    • Authorities are forensically testing if these parts belong to the VW Polo the officers were traveling in.

  • Police Reflector Jacket Found:

    • Confirmed to belong to one of the deceased constables, suggesting they were in uniform or on duty.

  • Additional Bodies:

    • Multiple bodies found in the Hennops River, including the four confirmed SAPS-linked victims.

3. Investigation Status:

  • SAPS Divers & Forensic Teams:

    • Still scouring the river for more evidence.

    • Determining if the vehicle parts match the missing VW Polo could clarify whether the car was deliberately dumped or involved in an accident.

4. Official Statements:

  • SAPS National Commissioner confirmed the discoveries but has not released further details pending forensic analysis.

  • Community & Colleague Reactions:

    • Growing demands for transparency, given the targeting of police personnel.

 

Timeline of events based on the available information, including the officers’ last known location at the Engen Garage near Grasmere Toll Plaza (N1) on 23 April 2025:

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

  • Last Known Sighting:

    • Constables Keamogetswe Buys, Boipelo Senoge, and Cebekhulu Linda were last seen at the Engen Garage near Grasmere Toll Plaza (N1 Highway).

    • They were traveling in a VW Polo.

    • Time of disappearance: Unclear (likely evening/night, given subsequent search efforts).

  • Reported Missing:

    • SAPS officially lists them as missing after failing to report for duty or contact family.

Search Efforts ( Started on 24 April 2025)

  • SAPS, K9 Units & Dive Teams scour areas along the N1 corridor and Hennops River.

  • Community alerts issued for sightings of the missing officers or their vehicle.

Tragic Discovery (28 – 29 April 2025)

  • Multiple bodies found in the Hennops River, Centurion.

    • Three confirmed as the missing constables.

    • One identified as a Lyttelton Police Station groundsman (connection to officers unclear).

  • Critical Evidence Recovered:

    • Vehicle parts (front/rear bumpers) – tested for link to the VW Polo.

    • Police reflector jacket (belonging to one of the constables).

Ongoing Investigation (Current Focus)

  • Forensic Analysis:

    • Autopsies to determine cause/time of death.

    • DNA/mechanical tests on bumpers to confirm if from the VW Polo.

  • CCTV & Witness Checks:

    • Reviewing footage from Engen Garage, Grasmere Toll Plaza, and N1 routes.