Police divers retrieve two bodies from Free State dam

The bodies of two Malawian nationals who are believed to have drowned while fishing at a dam outside Ladybrand have been retrieved by police divers.

The men, aged 23 and 26, were reportedly fishing from a canoe at Aldenburg Farm Dam on 6 September 2026 when the canoe capsized.

According to police, the two men were from Potchefstroom and had travelled to a farm in the Ladybrand area to go fishing.

The Free State Police Search, Rescue and Diving Unit was called to the dam on 8 September to search for the missing men, but the operation was unsuccessful.

The search resumed at about 9.30am on 9 September, when police divers entered the dam and located the bodies at a depth of approximately three metres.

Both bodies were subsequently retrieved from the water.

An inquest docket has been opened as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Police have urged members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in activities in and around bodies of water.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop on *08600 10111* or use the *MySAPSApp*.