
Part of missing vehicle found in Hennops River
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 Thursday, May 1.
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 on May 3, 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 Monday, 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.
#sapsHQ [UPDATE] Police divers have just found the back part of the VW Polo in the Hennops River, which the three constables were travelling in. NP pic.twitter.com/mqmCV1dccO
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 3, 2025
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.'
ALSO READ: R100K reward offered, as NPC requests top cops intervention in missing journalist and partner case
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
Police sergeant arrested in connection with kidnapping of Free State school pupil
Free State police have made a breakthrough in the case of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi who was allegedly kidnapped by two men posing as police officers on Thursday. According to the police, a 42-year-old police sergeant has been arrested and detained in Bloemfontein in connection with the kidnapping. He is expected to appear in court soon. Free State police commissioner Lt-Gen Baile Motswenyane said the investigation has now entered a crucial phase. 'The involvement of any SAPS member in criminal acts will not be tolerated. Culprits will be held accountable — even if they are within our own ranks,' said Motswenyane. According to a TimesLIVE report, the complainant, Daniel Malebatso, allegedly arrived at Martie du Plessis Special School in Fichardt Park as usual to fetch Baukudi, a grade 11 pupil at the school. Provincial police spokesperson Lt-Col Thabo Covane said the two left the school premises with Baukudi driving the Suzuki Ertiga. While driving on Vereeniging Drive in Ehrlich Park, Malebatso alleged they heard a siren sound from behind and were pulled over by occupants in a white Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab. Covane said inside the Toyota Hilux, there were two unknown men, one wearing a police uniform and the other a blue tracksuit. The suspects' bakkie was allegedly fitted with blue lights on the grill and what appeared to be a police radio inside. Covane said the suspect wearing a police uniform told Malebatso the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving was suspected of delivering drugs. The suspects then allegedly separated Baukudi and Malebatso and instructed Malebatso to drive his vehicle in front while they followed to the Park Road police station. 'The two vehicles turned back and drove in a westerly direction on Vereeniging Drive. Malebatso alleged a truck moved in between the two vehicles and he did not see the Hilux again. He said one suspect was speaking Sesotho fluently and mentioned the name 'Thipe'. Cellphones belonging to Baukudi and Malebatso were found under a bridge on Ferreira Road.' Police have urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the investigation. TimesLIVE

IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Youth Month: Constable Shika's innovative approach to community safety in Limpopo
The SAPS in Limpopo said Constable Veronica Shika's innovative anti-bullying campaign across Westenburg schools has measurably reduced bullying incidents, creating safer learning environments where young minds can flourish. Image: SAPS From academic excellence to community transformation, Constable Mogalakwena Veronica Shika embodies the spirit of youth leadership that Youth Month in South Africa celebrates. Shika's journey began in the halls of the University of Limpopo, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology in 2018, and Honours in Criminology and Criminal Justice in 2019, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to justice and community safety. 'Constable Shika's path to service began as a Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre (CIMAC) intern with SAPS from 2020-2021, officially joining the force as a constable on April 1, 2022,' said Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba. 'What sets her apart is not just her badge, it is her unwavering commitment to preventive policing and community engagement." As a social crime prevention coordinator since July 2023, at SAPS Westenburg in the Capricorn District, Mashaba said the 30-year-old constable has become a catalyst for change. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Constable Veronica Shika interacting with some learners and parents. Image: SAPS 'Her innovative anti-bullying campaign across Westenburg schools has measurably reduced bullying incidents, creating safer learning environments where young minds can flourish,' said Mashaba. Coordinating over 30 youth crime prevention members, Shika has built a network of young leaders committed to community safety and positive change. 'Her coordination of one of the district's most active spiritual crime prevention programs demonstrates her holistic approach to community wellness,' said Mashaba. He said Shika's dedication extends beyond daily duties, with her mastery of the SAPS Code of Conduct, which she performed from memory at the official opening of SAPS Phaudi police station and the safer festive season campaign launch at Lebowakgomo last year, showcases her commitment to the values she serves. In her own words, Shika said she does not regard her policing work as a job but a calling. "For me, wearing the badge is not just a job, it is a calling. Success doesn't come from the uniform you wear, but from the integrity, courage, and discipline you carry inside it. The future needs strong, honest leaders and that leader can be you,' she said. Constable Mogalakwena Veronica Shika embodies the spirit of youth leadership that Youth Month celebrates. Image: SAPS As South Africa marks Youth Month, the South African Police Service in Limpopo said Shika represents the power of young South Africans to drive meaningful change. Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has saluted Shika and other young police officers in the province, saying they prove that leadership is not about age, it is about vision, dedication, and the courage to serve with aplomb and distinction. 'Her story reminds us that every young person has the potential to become a community catalyst, a protector and a leader who shapes tomorrow's South Africa. Provincial police commissioner in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe Image: SAPS


The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Breakthrough in search for kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi
Baukudi was kidnapped in Vereeniging. 19 year old Kamogelo Baukudi was kidnapped in Vereeniging on Thursday. Picture: Saps The South African Police Service (Saps) in the Free State has made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi. Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele a 42-year-old police sergeant has been taken in for questioning and detained in Bloemfontein. Detention 'The man is expected to appear in court soon in connection with the case'. Provincial Commissioner of Saps in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, has reiterated the police's unwavering commitment to uncovering the full truth behind Baukudi's kidnapping. 'This investigation has now entered a crucial phase, said Motswenyane. The involvement of any SAPS member in criminal acts will not be tolerated. Culprits will be held accountable – even if they are within our own ranks'. ALSO READ: Police launch search for teen kidnapped by fake cops in Vereeniging Task team A police task team was established to search for Baukudi, who was kidnapped last week by two suspects impersonating police officers. Baukudi was kidnapped in Vereeniging on Thursday, just before 12pm. Police spokesperson Colonel Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said a complainant identified as Daniel Malebatso arrived at Marti Du Plessis School in Fitchardpark as usual to fetch Baukudi, a Grade 11 pupil at the school. Mathe said the duo left the school premises with Baukudi, driving the Suzuki Ertiga. 'Whilst driving along Vereeniging Drive Erlichpark Extension, Daniel alleges that they heard a siren sound from behind, and they were pulled over by a White Toyota Hilux GD-6 Double Cab. 'Inside the Toyota Hilux, there were two unknown male persons; one wearing police uniform and the other blue tracksuits,' Mathe said. ALSO READ: Gauteng family pleads for safe return of their little daughter Blue lights According to Malebatso, the suspects' bakkie was fitted with blue lights on the grill and what looked like a police radio inside. Mathe said the suspect, wearing a police uniform, confronted Malebatso and informed him that the Suzuki Ertiga they were driving together with Baukudi was suspected of delivering drugs. 'The suspects then separated Daniel and Kamogelo and instructed Daniel to drive at the front whilst they followed from behind to Park Road Police Station. 'Both vehicles turned back and drove in westerly direction in Vereeniging Drive. Daniel alleges that a truck went in-between the Suzuki he was driving and the Toyota Hilux and he never saw it again,' Mathe said. Not found Malebatso told the police that one of the suspects spoke Sesotho fluently and even mentioned the name 'Thipe'. Mathe said Malebatso and Baukudi's mobile phones were found under the bridge on Ferrera Road. Baukudi has not been seen since and the police continues to prioritize his safe return as a matter of urgency. ALSO READ: Police rope in specialised team to probe murder of 14-year-old Lukhona Fose