The family of 24-year-old Constable Cebekhulu Linda is demanding answers after his mysterious death alongside two fellow South African Police Service (SAPS) officers left a trail of unanswered questions and heartbreak.
Linda was one of three constables—along with Boipelo Senoge, 20, and Keamogetswe Buys, 30—who disappeared on April 23, 2025, while travelling from Bloemfontein to Limpopo in a white VW Polo. Their bodies, along with two unidentified individuals, were found six days later submerged in the Hennops River in Centurion, Tshwane. The vehicle was recovered on May 1.
Initial suspicions pointed to a possible hijacking or kidnapping, stoking fears of foul play. However, SAPS officials have since ruled out criminal activity. Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya has attributed the fatal incident to poor weather conditions and excessive speed, insisting that evidence supports an accidental crash.
But Linda’s family is not convinced.
“Cebekhulu was a cautious and responsible driver,” said Sipho Linda, the family spokesperson. “The claim that he was speeding or driving erratically doesn’t align with who he was. And why were early reports focused on foul play, only to later shift the narrative?”
The family acknowledges the possibility of an accident, but they want full transparency and clarity. Their concern is compounded by inconsistencies in initial reports, the presence of unidentified individuals, and confusion around the crash scene.
Police have launched a forensic investigation to piece together the exact sequence of events. Among the items recovered from the submerged vehicle were fragments of debris, including the front and rear bumpers, and a police-issued reflector jacket belonging to Constable Linda.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed that while foul play is not currently suspected, final conclusions will depend on detailed forensic analysis.
Meanwhile, the Linda family is preparing to bury their son in Mangaung on May 9, holding fast to their grief—and to a desire for the full truth.
“We’re not trying to accuse anyone,” said Sipho Linda. “We just want closure. We want to understand what really happened that night.”
