Key Points
- SAPS investigates a man in Cape Town for misleading social media claims about a missing VW Polo.
- Police found the vehicle in the Hennops River, where they also discovered the bodies of three police constables.
- No foul play is suspected, but the forensic investigation is ongoing.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that they are investigating a man in Cape Town. He falsely claimed on social media that he had seen the missing white VW Polo, which three police constables had been driving when they later died in a river.
False Social Media Claims Mislead Investigation
SAPS national spokesperson Brig. Athlenda Mathe addressed the media on Thursday during a briefing at the Hennops River in Centurion, where police recovered the vehicle. Mathe said authorities had seen the misleading social media post before finding the car in the river.
“We picked up a case on social media where an individual in Cape Town claimed he saw this particular vehicle in the river,” Mathe explained. “We have opened a case of defeating the ends of justice. Now, we are searching for this individual, as his claims are misleading the investigation.”
Mathe urged South Africans to use social media responsibly. She emphasized that people must report facts instead of spreading false information that can hinder ongoing investigations.
The Recovery of the VW Polo and Discovery of the Bodies
Police recovered the white VW Polo after they had previously found the bodies of Constables Cebekhulu Linda, 24, Boipelo Senoge, 24, and Keamogetswe Buys, 30. The constables had gone missing the previous week. They were traveling from Bloemfontein, Free State, to Limpopo when their vehicle was reported missing.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the vehicle may have capsized before hitting a roadside barrier and landing in the river. “We will investigate the car to determine exactly what happened,” Masemola said. “But from what we can observe, it appears the car capsized first before it impacted the wall and barrier.”
Investigation and Autopsies Ongoing
At this time, SAPS does not suspect foul play. Masemola confirmed that the incident is still under investigation, and authorities will conduct a forensic examination. The results of the investigation will provide further insights into the cause of the accident.
“The autopsies are still ongoing. We expect the doctors to provide more information once they finish their examination,” Masemola stated. “We are waiting for the final results, but there is no indication of foul play at this point.”
