Mass prayer service held in support of deceased constables’ families

Families of the three police constables whose bodies were retrieved earlier this week from the Hennops River in Centurion say they will travel back to Pretoria to collect the remains of their loved ones. Speaking during a mass prayer in Bloemfontein, Constable Cebekhulu Linda’s uncle, Sipho Linda, told SABC that he will be collecting the remains.

The families are also expected to meet with Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Moeketsi David Sempe.

The families say they have a sense of relief now that the vehicle the officers were travelling in has been found.

Various organisations joined hands to bring comfort to the bereaved families. Some family members couldn’t hold back their tears. They have also cautioned people on social media not to speculate.

“We are hurt, the things people should say should be only those that bring comfort. We also have questions like you, but we don’t have answers.”

“We will leave everything to God, because he’s the one with answers.”

The Buang Basadi organisation says it was befitting to organise the mass prayer service for the families. Buang Basadi activist, Thoko Nogabe, says they decided to hold a mass prayer to offer support to the families of the deceased police officers.

“Basically the reason why we came together here today on Workers Day was to say these three constables, they can’t even enjoy because if they were still alive, they were supposed to celebrate Workers Day.”

The Free State government says it will give all the necessary support to the deceased police officers’ families. Following the confirmation that the car retrieved from Hennops River in Centurion, was the one used by the officers, the Premier says the confirmation will bring some closure to the families.

“So far, because we haven’t talked to the family, we can’t just predict that this is the kind of assistance they will expect from the government. So we’ll hear from tomorrow, from the meeting, we’ll hear whether there will be an official funeral. And once it’s declared, or if there is that kind of request from the family to declare it an official funeral. You know that there are processes to be followed for a funeral to be declared an official funeral. That’s where government will come in fully. So we’re waiting for a guidance, we’ll hear from the minister.”

The funeral service of the officers is expected to be held soon.