National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has confirmed that a forensic investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths of three police constables whose vehicle was recovered from the Hennops River in Centurion.
Speaking to the media at the scene on Friday, Masemola said the forensic team would thoroughly examine the recovered VW Polo to establish what led to the incident.
“We have no fixed rules when it comes to forensic investigations,” he said. “The experts—qualified engineers—will now go through the vehicle in detail. From what I see, it looks like it overturned, but I’m not an expert. The investigation will give us the real answers.”
The discovery of the vehicle follows extensive search efforts. A handbag containing personal items, including IDs and driver’s licences, was also retrieved from the car. Masemola noted that rising river levels, caused by a blockage downstream, had initially hindered recovery efforts. Once the blockage was cleared and water levels dropped, the car was found not far from where it was last suspected to have disappeared.
“We are quite relieved,” he said. “After days of hard work, the vehicle has been recovered, and it gives us some closure.”
Police have yet to release the names of the deceased officers as investigations continue.