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Three bodies discovered near Hennops River in search for missing police officers

Three bodies discovered near Hennops River in search for missing police officers

The Citizen29-04-2025

Three bodies discovered near Hennops River in search for missing police officers
The search for three missing police officers has led authorities to the Hennops River in Centurion, where three bodies have been discovered near the N1 highway, intensifying efforts to uncover what happened during their journey from Bloemfontein to Polokwane.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the bodies were discovered on Tuesday morning.
'Thus far, we have recovered three bodies whose identities are yet to be confirmed.
'We are continuing our search for a fourth body and any other evidence that may assist in concluding the case of the missing police officers.'
Authorities remain on the scene alongside family members, as details around the fourth body remain unclear and police have yet to confirm whether the three recovered bodies are those of the missing officers.
The three police constables, 30-year-old Keamogetswe Buys, 20-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge, and 24-year-old Cebekhulu Linda, disappeared last Wednesday while travelling from Bloemfontein to their deployment area in Limpopo.
National police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has announced an R350 000 reward for information that could lead to the missing police officers being found.
*Please note the article has been amended.
Also read: Feline Parvo outbreak in Pretoria – here is what you should know
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Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
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