Bloody river: Bodies of dead people found in Hennops River rises to FIVE (SEE PICS & VIDEO)

CENTURION – The grim search of the Hennops River along the N1 in Centurion has yielded a fifth body, further deepening the mystery surrounding the disappearance of three police constables last week. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the latest body recovered was that of a woman. The identities of all five bodies – three women and two men – have yet to be officially confirmed.

The investigation, which began after constables Linda Cebekhulu, 24, Keamogetswe Buys, 30, and Boipelo Senoge, 20, went missing, has now taken a tragic turn with the discovery of multiple bodies in the river. The constables were last seen on April 23 at the Engen garage near the Grasmere toll plaza on the N1. They were travelling in a white VW Polo sedan (registration number JCL 401 FS) from Bloemfontein to Limpopo, where they had been deployed, when they disappeared. Their vehicle tracking system and cellphones have been unreachable since their last known location.

The City of Tshwane emergency services confirmed they responded to a drowning incident in the Hennops River on Monday. Department spokesperson Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni said the incident was reported to the emergency communication centre at about 9am when a car was seen submerged in the river not far from a low-lying bridge in Rabie Street. "Firefighting resources were dispatched from Centurion Fire Station and Innesdale Fire Station. These included a fire engine, a swift water rescue unit and a district commander’s unit," he said.

Upon arrival, firefighters found police on the scene and discovered a car was submerged in water with only the roof visible. "The firefighters assisted with searching in the vicinity for any victims while more resources, including divers, were deployed to the scene. During the search the firefighters and the police divers found a victim trapped in the car and they recovered him from the vehicle. Gauteng emergency medical services were also on the scene and declared the victim deceased," Mnguni explained. He added that the scene was handed over to the police.

Tshwane metro police and other agencies were also on the scene and assisted with scene management.

The initial discovery of two bodies on Monday led police to focus their investigation on the Hennops River. Since then, the search has intensified, with maximum resources, including forensic experts and an air wing unit, being deployed to the area. A Renault Kangoo vehicle was also found, and authorities are still searching for a connection between the vehicles and the recovered bodies.

National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe emphasised that the identities of the bodies found in the river have not been confirmed. "The SAPS confirms that its investigation has brought it to the Hennops River in Centurion along the N1. We have three bodies so far, whose identities are yet to be confirmed," said Mathe on Tuesday morning, before the discovery of the fifth body. "We are searching for another body, and for any other evidence that will assist us in concluding the case of the missing police officers."

General Masemola and deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya met the investigation team and will receive updates on progress. They will also meet the families of the missing officers and brief the media thereafter.

Addressing journalists at the crime scene, deputy national police commissioner for crime detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya said one of the bodies found in the river was of a "white person". "As you can see, we have an intense search and rescue. We had two helicopters flying yesterday when we found some bodies. I can tell you now, when we talk about bodies, it does not necessarily mean those of the (SAPS) members," said Sibiya. "Some golfers stopped us as we were flying, they waved so that we can know, and they told us of a body of a white person that is there. We will also investigate that part of the body. It can be anything."

The South African Police Service and private security companies were at the scene, with police insisting the search operation for the missing officers is still underway.

On Sunday, national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola announced a R350,000 reward for information which can lead to the three missing police officers being found. "We are hopeful and we will find whoever is behind this. We will definitely make sure that we do not rest. On that score, we have put out a reward of R350,000 for any information on the whereabouts of our members, and the whereabouts of those criminals that are behind the disappearance of our own," he said.

The three police officers' last known location was the Engen fuel station in Gauteng, on the N1 on Thursday. When the vehicle they were travelling in left the fuel station, the vehicle tracking device and cellphones were switched off. The trio was travelling in a Volkswagen Polo hatchback with registration number JCL 401 FS.

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