Another part of car found as investigation into deaths of 3 constables continues
Police divers have recovered the back part of the VW Polo that the three Free State constables were travelling in when they were reported missing and later found deceased in the Hennops River.
The front part of the vehicle was recovered on May 1, Pretoria Rekord reports.
The three police constables disappeared on April 23 while travelling from Bloemfontein to their deployment area in Limpopo.
Constables Cebekhulu Linda (24), Boipelo Senoge (24), and Keamogetswe Buys (30) will each be buried on separate days between May 8 and 10, with memorial and funeral services planned in Mangaung and Thaba Nchu.
The partial vehicle recovery today comes just days after their bodies were discovered in the same river this week.
The search began after vehicle debris believed to be from the constables' missing VW Polo was found near the river on April 28.
The recovery followed days of tireless searching by a high-level SAPS task team across Gauteng, Limpopo, and the Free State.
Investigators tracked a route from the Grasmere Toll Plaza on the N1, through the Buccleuch interchange, and onto John Voster Drive before locating key evidence near the river.
Five bodies were recovered from the Hennops River during an intensive two-day search for three missing police constables earlier this week.
Among the dead were Constables Senoge, Cebekhulu, and Buys, along with a Lyttelton police station employee who was driving a Renault Kangoo van, and a fifth, still-unidentified, decomposed body.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Tuesday, May 6, at Bobbiespark in Bloemfontein.
Police also confirmed that the two additional bodies found in the Hennops River are not connected to the three missing Free State constables.
National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola said there is no connection between the three Free State constables and the two other bodies that were found during the police's large-scale search in the Hennops River.
After the recovery of the VW Polo from the river, General Masemola said police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.
Masemola closed by stating, 'At this stage, it looks like an accident until we finalise and the forensics have thoroughly investigated the car. Let the public be assured that this is what we have for now. For now, there is nothing sinister that we physically have seen in terms of, let's say, being shot, bullets, nothing. But, of course, there are injuries. Doctors will tell us exactly when they finalise their autopsies.'
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
23 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Police hunt suspects after brothers shot dead outside Merebank church
Police have launched a massive manhunt for the suspects who shot and killed two brothers outside St Mary's Parish Catholic Church in Merebank, south of Durban, on Saturday. According to the Rising Sun, the victims, identified as Tevin and Keagan Beck, were attending the funeral service of their uncle when the shooting occurred. It is alleged the incident happened after one of the brothers gave a speech at the gathering. In a statement, PT Alarms says its tactical and armed response units responded swiftly to the double fatal shooting on Juggernaut Road in Merebank, where the two brothers were gunned down. Wentworth SAPS also responded, along with Community Policing Forum members and other security companies. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the motive for the killings are under police investigation. Communications officer of Wentworth SAPS Captain Mbuso Gumede says: 'We are investigating two counts of murder. No arrests have been made as yet. Anyone who can assist with information is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or Wentworth SAPS on 079 500 1167. Anonymity can be guaranteed.' Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
WATCH: A small coffin, a big loss – Eldorado Park mourns baby Nikita
The community of Eldorado Park gathered at the Don Mateman Hall to bid a final farewell to Nikita during an emotional funeral service. The community of Eldorado Park gathered at the Don Mateman hall for the funeral service of Liquethan Nikita Kiewietse. The funeral of Nikita, as she was known, was attended by family, community members, a delegation of politicians and activists. Politicians and community activists attend the funeral service of Nikita at Don Mateman hall in Eldorado Park. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Eldorado Park residents have been on high alert after they initially contacted authorities about child abuse in the area. Last Wednesday, South African Police Service (Saps) responded to a complaint that Nikita's stepfather was physically abusing the child. Upon arrival, the officers were directed to a locked backyard shack, according to Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo. Masondo stated that upon entering the shack, police discovered a man with a young boy and girl. They noticed the girl lying on the bed with visible head injuries, bruises, and a swollen eye. The man, who claimed to be the children's father, was unable to give a satisfactory explanation for the girl's condition. He was arrested on the spot, and the girl was urgently taken to a nearby medical facility. She was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), where she remained for two days before tragically succumbing to her injuries. Child abuse case: Eldorado Park parents abandon bail During the court proceedings, the State revealed that both the ma and the child's mother had opted to abandon their bail applications. Following this, the prosecution requested a postponement to allow for further investigation into the matter. The case was subsequently adjourned to 9 October, with both accused remaining in custody until their next appearance. ALSO SEE: Eldorado Park parents abandon bail bid in child abuse case
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Suspected extortionists arrested in Western Cape shoot-out
Police have arrested suspected extortionists in Lower Crossroads, Western Cape. SAPS members yesterday followed up on information about suspected extortionists at a building on Ntambanane Road, Lower Crossroads. After conducting surveillance, officers confirmed that the suspects were at the address and approached the premises, where the suspects opened fire on them. 'The members retaliated and in the process injured a 29-year-old suspect, who was arrested and taken for treatment at a nearby medical facility under police guard,' SAPS said. During the arrest, a 9mm Z88 firearm with its serial number intact, three 9mm magazines, and 45 9mm rounds of ammunition were recovered and confiscated from the premises. Further investigation revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen at Philippi SAPS in June. 'The members also arrested two females, aged 19 and 28, who were found on the premises. All three suspects face charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal possession of ammunition, a charge of attempted murder, and attack on police. They will appear at the Athlone Magistrate's Court once charged,' police said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
