The body of an elderly pastor was retrieved from the Etiyeni Dam in Schoemansdal earlier today, Sunday, April 26.

The pastor has not been identified yet, but Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed the incident.

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“Yes, a pastor drowned yesterday whilst performing a baptism, and today the police retrieved his body,” said Ndubane.

The police diving unit was called, and a search was immediately conducted in the dam without success.

The divers returned to the dam earlier today, and the pastor’s body was retrieved around midday.

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Mpumalanga Forensic Pathologist declared the man dead and took the body away.

A post-mortem to confirm the exact cause of death would be conducted in due course.

The police have opened an inquest case for investigation.