The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the discovery of two bodies believed to be those of missing Gauteng constables who disappeared six days ago while travelling to a deployment in Limpopo.
What the police know so far
Police are currently on-site at Hennops River in Centurion, where the search continues for the third constable.
A police source confirmed the discovery on Tuesday morning, noting that the scene remains active, with divers, helicopters, and emergency personnel assisting in the search operation.
“The scene is very active with police, divers, choppers and emergency services,” said the source.
While police have not formally identified the remains, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that SAPS leadership would meet with the families before releasing any official statements.
“Let’s be sensitive please. We will confirm that a search is underway,” Mathe added.
What we know about the circumstances around their disappearance
The missing officers — Constables Cebekhulu Linda (24), Boipelo Senoge (20), and Keamogetswe Buys (24) — were last seen on Thursday while travelling in a Volkswagen Polo hatchback from the Free State through Gauteng to Limpopo.
Their last known location was a fuel station along the N1 in Gauteng. Soon after leaving the station, their phones and the vehicle’s tracking device were switched off.
Police believe the officers were hijacked and kidnapped en route. The disappearance triggered a national search and a public plea for assistance from both SAPS and the families of the missing constables.
Lwazi Thepa, the husband of Constable Buys, pleaded for her safe return during a press briefing.
“That is all I pray for. Just bring back my wife alive. Thank you.”
Family members of all three officers joined in the public appeal, asking South Africans to provide any information that could help locate their loved ones. “Somebody must know something,” said Sipho Linda, Constable Linda’s uncle.
“They were doing a job to protect the community.”
Constable Senoge’s father, Paul Senoge, echoed the plea:
“If you were close, or if you know anything that happened, please go to the police station near you and report.”
SAPS national commissioner General Fannie Masemola had earlier announced a R350,000 reward for any information that could help locate the officers or lead to the arrest of those responsible.
“We are hopeful and we will find whoever is behind this. We will definitely make sure that we do not rest,” said Masemola.
The officers’ vehicle, a VW Polo with registration number JCL 401 FS, remains missing.
In a related note, media forums have also urged the public to assist in the search for missing Pretoria-based journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli, who disappeared in February. A separate reward of R50,000 has been offered for information in that case.
The investigation into the disappearance and deaths of the three SAPS constables continues, with police urging anyone with credible information to contact authorities.