FREE STATE – Police divers have successfully retrieved the bodies of two Malawian nationals from Aldenburg Farm Dam outside Ladybrand, concluding a targeted recovery operation following a fatal drowning incident.
According to a spokesperson for the Free State Police Search, Rescue and Diving Unit, the two men, aged 23 and 26, were reportedly fishing from a canoe at the dam on 6 September 2026 when the vessel capsized, resulting in both individuals drowning.
The victims were residing in Potchefstroom and had travelled to a farm in the Ladybrand area specifically for a fishing excursion.
An initial search operation conducted by the Free State Police Search, Rescue and Diving Unit on 8 September 2026 was unable to locate the remains.
The search effort resumed on 9 September 2026 at approximately 09:30. During this subsequent operation, police divers entered the water and successfully recovered both bodies from a depth of approximately three metres.
A police spokesperson confirmed that an inquest docket has been officially opened. The matter remains under active investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths.
