Centurion, South Africa – April 29, 2025 — National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has confirmed that three Free State police officers reported missing last week are among five bodies recovered from the Hennops River in Centurion.
Speaking at a media briefing held on the N1 highway near the scene of the incident, Masemola stated that the identification of the bodies brought a grim conclusion to the search for the officers who vanished during severe flooding in Gauteng.
Constables Cebekhulu Linda, 24, Keamogetswe Buys, 30, and Boipelo Senoge, 24, disappeared last Wednesday after departing from Bloemfontein en route to their deployment station in Limpopo. It is believed their vehicle was swept off the road into the river by powerful floodwaters that struck the area during heavy rains.
“This is a tragic moment for the SAPS family and for the nation,” Masemola said. “These were young officers committed to their duties. Our hearts are with their families, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Rescue and recovery teams have been working around the clock since the officers were reported missing. Two other bodies were also recovered from the river, and investigations are ongoing to determine their identities and the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Masemola praised the coordinated efforts of search and rescue teams and reiterated calls for public caution amid ongoing weather alerts in several provinces.