A heartbreaking tragedy has struck a Centurion family after the bodies of two siblings who were reported missing were discovered in the Hennops River, bringing a devastating end to days of anxious searching.
Galaletsang Mokone (23) and his younger sister, Gontse Lee Matjila (21), were last seen in the early hours of Sunday, 21 December 2025, after spending Saturday night visiting friends in Centurion. When the siblings suddenly lost contact with their family, concern quickly turned into fear, prompting a large-scale search operation involving multiple emergency and law-enforcement agencies.
The siblings’ mother last spoke to Gontse during a video call at around 03:00 on Sunday morning. Investigations suggest the pair may have left Centurion at approximately 05:00, heading back home to Ninapark, Pretoria North. However, they never arrived.
On Tuesday, 23 December 2025, search teams made a grim discovery when a Hyundai i30, believed to be the siblings’ vehicle, was found submerged in the Hennops River. The car was later recovered, and police subsequently confirmed that the bodies of both Galaletsang and Gontse had been found in the river.
Tracker data placed their last known location near Rabie Street, close to the highway and the Hennops River — an area that has previously been linked to several tragic incidents. The siblings were officially reported missing later on Sunday afternoon at the Pretoria North police station, with the case later transferred to Lyttelton SAPS for further investigation.
Police have confirmed that investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding their deaths are ongoing. At this stage, no foul play has been officially confirmed, and authorities are working to piece together the final moments of the siblings’ journey.
As news of the tragedy spreads, messages of grief and condolences continue to pour in from the community, with many calling for improved safety measures around the Hennops River area. The loss of two young lives has left a family shattered and a nation mourning yet another devastating incident on South African roads.
?️ Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the Mokone and Matjila families during this incredibly difficult time.
