The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, are meeting today with the investigation team tasked with finding three missing police officers.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, SAPS national spokesperson, confirmed the leadership’s plans, saying, “The pair will receive an update on progress made in finding our own from both the Provincial Commissioners of Free State and Gauteng, Lieutenant General Baile Motsweenyane and Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni.”
After the update, General Masemola and his team will meet with the officers’ families and address the media.
Missing officers disappeared after refuelling stop
The missing officers — 30-year-old Constable Keamogetswe Buys, 20-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge, and 24-year-old Constable Cebekhulu Linda- disappeared while travelling from Bloemfontein to their deployment site in Limpopo. They were last seen at the Engen garage near the Grasmere toll plaza on the N1 on Wednesday, 23 April.
Their white VW Polo, bearing the registration number JCL 401 FS, has not been traced since.
“Their vehicle tracking device and cell phones have been off since their disappearance,” SAPS confirmed.
At the time, the constables were off duty but expected to report for work later that day.
Full-Scale Search Underway
A 24-hour Venue Operational Centre (VOC) has been set up to coordinate the search, with high-level detectives and crime intelligence teams from Gauteng and Free State fully mobilised. SAPS has opened a case of possible hijacking and kidnapping.
“A full-scale search is underway,” SAPS stated, urging members of the public to come forward with any information.
The police have asked anyone with information to contact the investigating officer, Captain Chaacha Manga, at 082 527 6099.
Will the swift mobilisation and public involvement lead to the safe return of the missing officers?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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