The Middelburg Diving Unit, along with other units, collaborated to hoist the body up with the use of abseiling equipment, due to the lack of access from along the river.

A painstaking operation took place for hours, on the bridge that crosses over the Olifants river between Middelburg and eMalahleni.

The teams worked tirelessly and efficiently to remove the body of a deceased male from the river, with utmost care.

The body was discovered by employees mowing the grass along the busy highway earlier today.

It cannot be confirmed how the body landed in the river and an autopsy will have to be done to determine the cause of death.

* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

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