The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched an urgent appeal for public help, offering a R350,000 reward to find three missing constables and their captors. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced this on Sunday, April 27, 2025, as the nation marks four days since the officers disappeared while traveling from Bloemfontein to Limpopo.
The disappearance of 20-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge, 24-year-old Constable Cebekhulu Linda, and 30-year-old Constable Keamogetswe Buys has shaken the SAPS and the nation. The three officers were last seen on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Engen garage near the Grasmere Toll Plaza on the N1 highway, south of Johannesburg. They were traveling in a white Volkswagen Polo sedan, registration number JCL 401 FS, from Bloemfontein to their deployment area in Limpopo when they vanished without a trace.
Police reports indicate that the officers’ vehicle tracking device and cellphones have been switched off since their disappearance, raising fears of foul play. A case of possible hijacking and kidnapping is under investigation, with the SAPS leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to locate the trio.
General Fannie Masemola, speaking at a media briefing at Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein on April 27, expressed deep concern. “I often say good afternoon, but in reality it is not a good afternoon for all the men and women in blue and the families of our missing police officers,” he said. “We are deeply disturbed by the disappearance of our own. It is indeed business unusual for us and we will not rest until we register a breakthrough in this case.”
The SAPS has deployed a multi-disciplinary team to lead the investigation, pulling together expertise from across the country. The team includes heads of intelligence and detectives from Limpopo, Free State, and Gauteng, as well as seasoned detectives, crime and counter-intelligence operatives, and members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) Tactical Operations and Management Section (TOMS).
A 24-hour Venue Operational Centre (VOC) has been established to coordinate the search, with high-level detectives and crime intelligence teams from Gauteng and Free State fully mobilised. Despite the intensive efforts, no solid leads have been found as of April 27, prompting Masemola to issue a public appeal.
In a bid to encourage tips from the public, Masemola announced a R350,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of the missing officers and their captors. “Anyone who has solid and concrete information is advised to contact the investigating officer Captain Chaacha Manga on 082 527 6099,” he said. He assured the public that “anyone who shares information will remain anonymous and all information will be treated with confidentiality.”
Masemola urged communities to come forward, saying, “Someone somewhere saw something especially from the time they left the Engen garage near the Grasmere Toll Plaza towards Johannesburg four days ago.” He highlighted the SAPS’s past success in solving cases with public help, noting, “With the assistance from our communities, we have solved numerous cases, and put many criminals which include kidnappers, murderers and rapists behind bars to serve lengthy jail terms.”
The reward has sparked hope among the officers’ families and the public, with many taking to social media to share the appeal and pray for the constables’ safe return. A community leader in Bloemfontein said, “We need to stand together and help the police. These officers risk their lives for us every day. It’s our turn to support them.”
Masemola issued a direct and firm warning to those behind the disappearance, making it clear that the SAPS will not back down. “We will not allow a situation where criminals have the upper hand. We cannot have criminals undermine the authority of the state by kidnapping three police officers,” he declared. “This is just a stern warning to those behind this incident, either you hand yourselves over, or we will fetch you ourselves.” He added, “I often don’t address criminals, but it is important that I issue a stern warning to those criminals to surrender before we FIND YOU.” Masemola’s tone underscored the SAPS’s determination, stating, “Police officers do not negotiate with criminals and we are not going to start now.”
The three missing constables were off-duty at the time of their disappearance but were expected to report for work later that day in Limpopo. Two of the officers, Cebekhulu Linda and Keamogetswe Buys, are attached to the SAPS crime intelligence unit in the Free State and were on detachment duties in Limpopo. The youngest, Boipelo Senoge, is stationed at Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein, serving in the Community Service Centre, previously known as the charge office.
Masemola spoke fondly of the officers, expressing hope for their future in the SAPS. “We are still looking forward to their contribution in crime fighting initiatives and we also looking forward to seeing them grow within our ranks,” he said. The officers’ disappearance has not only affected their families but also their colleagues, who describe them as dedicated and hardworking. A fellow constable at Park Road Police Station shared, “Boipelo was always smiling and ready to help anyone at the station. It’s heartbreaking to think she might be in danger.” Similarly, colleagues of Cebekhulu and Keamogetswe praised their commitment to crime intelligence work, noting their role in tackling serious crimes in the region.
The SAPS has pledged full support to the families of the missing officers. Masemola met with the families on April 27, alongside Lieutenant General Sibiya and Lieutenant General Motsweenyane, to brief them on the investigation’s progress. “To the families, I once again pledge the organisation’s full support and commitment to finding your children,” he assured them. “I assure you, we will not rest until they are found and those criminals who are behind this are brought to book.”
The SAPS Employee Health and Wellness team, including psychologists and chaplains, has been deployed to provide emotional support to the families under the guidance of the Free State Provincial Commissioner. “We don’t want to speculate on the motive as yet,” Masemola added, promising to update the nation when the time is right. “It is a matter of time before we register a breakthrough.”
