JOHANNESBURG – Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, has confirmed that the tragic deaths of three South African Police Service (SAPS) constables were the result of reckless driving and not foul play, as some conspiracy theories had suggested.
The constables — Keamogetswe Buys, Boipelo Senoge, and Linda Cebekhulu — went missing on 23 April 2025 and were discovered six days later in the Hennops River in Tshwane. Their disappearance had sparked widespread speculation and public concern, but Sibiya has now clarified the circumstances behind the tragic incident.
Speaking on 3 May 2025, Sibiya stated that evidence strongly suggests the constables were traveling at high speed in rainy conditions, which led to their fatal accident. He emphasized that there was no evidence to support claims of conspiracy or targeted killings related to their police work.
“These were junior officers who were part of Operation Vala Umgodi,” Sibiya said. “They had been traveling late from Bloemfontein and were going very fast while it was raining. We received confirmation from the driver of a Nissan NP300 who saw them pass by at high speed. He followed them for a while and saw no indication of distress before leaving.”
The three officers were part of a larger team and had not been investigating any specific high-profile cases at the time of their disappearance, contrary to rumors. Sibiya cautioned the public against spreading unfounded conspiracy theories, urging people to allow the SAPS to carry out its investigations without interference.
The search for the missing officers led police to the Hennops River, where their bodies were found on 29 April. Two of the bodies were located 500 meters from where the vehicle had gone off the road, while the remaining body was found further downstream. Parts of their vehicle were also recovered during the operation, and on 1 May, SAPS diving teams found the remainder of the vehicle submerged in the river.
Family members of the deceased officers traveled to Gauteng on 4 May to collect their bodies. SAPS announced that each officer would be honored with an official funeral. While the funerals will be held separately, a joint memorial service is planned in Bloemfontein to celebrate their lives and service.
The incident has sparked renewed discussions around police safety and responsible driving, especially during operations in adverse weather conditions. Lieutenant-General Sibiya expressed his condolences to the families and emphasized the importance of learning from this tragedy.
Tebogo Mokwena, the journalist who reported on the case, has extensive experience covering South Africa’s criminal justice system and high-profile incidents. His reporting has shed light on the challenges and risks faced by law enforcement officers on duty.
As investigations conclude, the SAPS continues to focus on supporting the grieving families and ensuring the officers are remembered for their dedication and service to the country.