Five months, no answers : Constable Boipelo Senoge’s family still in the dark months after Hennops River tragedy

The father of Constable Boipelo Senoge, 20, one of three police officers who went missing earlier this year and were later found dead in the Hennops River in Centurion, says the past five months have been incredibly difficult for the family.

He said Boipelo was the sole breadwinner. 

Constables Keamogetswe Buys, 30, Boipelo, and Cebekhulu Linda, 24, were all reported missing before their bodies were recovered days later from the Hennops River. 

The trio, who were stationed in the Free State, drowned in April after their white Volkswagen Polo was swept into the river during heavy rains.

Buys and Linda were part of Operation Vala Umgodi in Limpopo, a police task force targeting illicit mining activities. 

Buys served in the cybercrime division, while Linda worked in crime intelligence. Senoge was stationed at Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein. 

At the time of their deaths, Senoge and Linda were in a relationship.

Speaking to IOL News, Boipelo’s father, Paul Senoge, expressed frustration at the lack of updates from the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding the investigation.

“The last time we heard from the police was before the funeral. They told us they were busy with the investigation and would update us, but since then, there’s been nothing,” he said.

The three officers were buried in May.

Senoge said the delays in the investigation have deeply affected the family emotionally and mentally, making it hard to find closure.

“We are really struggling to come to terms with what happened. It keeps bringing back the memories. Just when we think we are healing, the wounds are reopened again and again,” he said.

He added that despite promises from police to look into the matter, no substantial feedback has been provided.

“They said they would investigate, but we have heard nothing from them… The only thing we are told when we call the investigator is that they are still busy with the case. It’s so painful.”

“What we need is closure. I don’t know what’s going on with the SAPS. I thought we were moving forward as a country, but now I don’t know.”

Senoge voiced concern about the slow progress of the investigation, adding that he fears it could drag on for years.

“There’s so much corruption in this country. These investigations could take five more years. We are not satisfied with how this is being handled and we will never heal until we know what happened to my daughter.”

He said the family is waiting for the investigation report, which they hope will provide some answers.

“If we get the report and go through it, and we are satisfied, maybe we will find closure. But if not, we will take it further.”

Senoge said his daughter, Boipelo, was the only one in the household who was working, and since her death, the family has been battling to make ends meet.

“What hurts the most is that she was the one who put bread on the table. When we think about how she used to support us, we are reminded of the gap she left,” said her father.

“Nothing is the same anymore. She was the only breadwinner. Her older sister is also unemployed. Since her death, we have been really struggling… I’m not working, my wife is not working, and neither is my eldest daughter.”

Meanwhile, in response, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the investigation is still ongoing and is receiving “focused attention”.

“Both SAPS and private specialists have submitted reports as prescribed. Preliminary post-mortem reports have been received, but final reports, including blood alcohol results, toxicology, and histology, are still outstanding. These are critical to concluding the investigation,” Mathe said.

She added that an analysis of physical evidence is also ongoing.

“This process is complex as SAPS relies on external specialists for certain examinations. While the SAPS accident expert report has been finalised, it is not conclusive on its own.”

According to her, the outcome of the investigation depends on a combination of all expert findings. 

“Given the nature of the outstanding reports, it’s not possible to provide a timeframe for completion. What can be confirmed is that the matter is progressing, and all necessary expertise is being applied to ensure a thorough and credible outcome,” Mathe added.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News