Remarks by the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu at the #MinMec meeting and the loss of three Constables

Remarks by the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu at the #MinMec meeting and the loss of three Constables

The MinMec (Ministerial and Provincial Executive Council Forum) is a national intergovernmental forum established to facilitate collaboration and consultation between the Minister responsible for a functional area and provincial MECs (Members of the Executive Council) – in our instance, the #SAPS and MECs responsible for community safety. The Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act establishes the legal framework for MinMec. The MinMec is facilitated by the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service on behalf of the Ministry. In attendance, we also have the Heads of entities (PSiRA, IPID, DPCI #Hawks). We are here today to take stock of the measures underway in the country to address crime, and to also track the progress made in as far as implementation of those measures is concerned.

The crime situation in the country causes concern, and we have a duty to protect the citizens. So this MinMec is not just another date on the calendar. It is an urgent call to coordinate, to act decisively, and to demonstrate that we are not only listening but responding to the pain and fear our people endure. We cannot afford to be seen as leaders who meet to present slides and share statistics, while criminals continue to terrorise our communities.

Yesterday, we were informed that our search for the three Constables had come to a tragic end, following the discovery of multiple bodies in the Hennops River in Centurion. These are the police officers were reported missing on the 23rd of April 2025: Constable Keamogetswe Buys, Constable Boipelo Senoge, and Constable Cebekhulu Linda. We have also been informed by the National Commissioner that of the additional bodies found in the river, one was that of an SAPS groundsman stationed at the Lyttelton police station.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased officers, and to all those who have been affected by this tragic development. Our thoughts and prayers are also with their colleagues and the broader SAPS family, who have lost not only dedicated teammates, but promising young officers who still had so much more to contribute to the service and the nation.

The loss of Constables Buys, Senoge, and Linda is not only a devastating blow to the SAPS, but also a significant loss to South Africa. These were young officers who wore the badge with pride and served with courage and commitment. Their passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt.