The body of a 41-year-old man from Shoshanguve in Pretoria, was recovered in Hartebeespoort Dam after police and rescue teams were alerted of a submerged vehicle which plunged down an embarkment and into the water, on Friday.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute, the body was retrieved early on Friday morning.

“NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew and SRU (Strategic Response Unit) were activated following reports of a vehicle semi-submerged in the Hartbeespoort Dam, near the dam wall.

“The sea rescue craft Sea Legs was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers, police, SRU members and a police dive unit responded.”

The institute said the body has been taken into the care of government health forensic pathology services, while towing services assisted police to recover the vehicle from the steep embankment.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

According to police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane ‘the vehicle was believed to have been in the water for some time’.

He said the man identified was Ivic Rabogale of Soshanguve, north of Pretoria.

Tselanyane said the cause of the incident was unknown at this stage.