3 missing SAPS constables found dead in Hennops River: 'It's a sad day for South Africa'

Zain Johnson standing in for CapeTalk and 702's Africa Melane interviews Thulani Ngwenya, President of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU).

Listen below:

The search for three missing South African Police Service (SAPS) constables has ended in tragedy, as police confirmed that they were among five bodies discovered in the Hennops River in Centurion, Tshwane.

Ngwenya says that there was still hope they would be found alive and unharmed; however, sadly, this was not the case.

"It is with deep sorrow that I confirm that our three members have been found together with two other bodies,” said National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola during a media briefing.

"It's a sad day for South Africa, it's a sad day for us as POPCRU."

- Thulani Ngwenya, President – Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union

The white VW Polo in which the officers were travelling was last captured on video near the Brakfontein interchange in Centurion.

Ngwenya states that the vehicle has not yet been located and that they are "anxiously" awaiting post-mortem results, which will determine whether the deaths were caused by a car accident or if the constables had died beforehand.

"We're anxiously waiting to find out what exactly happened."

- Thulani Ngwenya, President – Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.

3 missing SAPS constables found dead in Hennops River: 'It's a sad day for South Africa' – POPCRU

Popcru President Thulani Ngwenya says that there was still hope they would be found alive and unharmed, but sadly, this was not the case.