Free State govt slams online speculation related to deaths of 3 constables

JOHANNESBURG - The Free State government has slammed online rumours about the deaths of three provincial police officers, warning that baseless claims could hurt grieving families and undermine investigations.

Constables Boipelo Senoge, Cebekhulu Linda and Keamogetswe Buys died when their vehicle plunged into the Hennops River in Centurion, after veering off the N1 highway.

READ: FS govt pledges ongoing support to families of 3 constables who died while on duty

A nationwide search ended last week when their bodies and their white VW Polo were recovered from the water.

While police have ruled out foul play, public speculation online has persisted.

A moving memorial service was held on Tuesday in Bloemfontein, packed with tearful mourners paying tribute to the young officers’ commitment to service.

But the ceremony was overshadowed by widespread social media rumours, with some users suggesting the tragedy was linked to a love triangle.

Free State Premier Maqueen Lethsoha-Mathae slammed the online speculation, warning that such claims not only hurt grieving families but also risked derailing investigations.

"When we mourn in pain, let us not taunt the grieving families. They had hope for their children. You on social media, who think you know more than college graduates, stop playing investigator and causing more hurt to them and the investigation."

Meanwhile, national police have confirmed that a full reconstruction of the scene is underway to determine exactly what led to the officers’ deaths.