The body of missing 36-year-old Timothy van Asche from Gauteng was found in the Hennops River at around 10:30.

According to Pretoria Rekord, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Hartbeespoort Dam station commander, Arthur Crewe, confirmed Van Asche’s body was discovered about 2km downstream from where his vehicle was recovered on Monday.

This follows ongoing search efforts after his vehicle was found submerged in the Hennops River earlier this week.

Kormorant reports he was last seen on CCTV cameras leaving his home in Glenferness, Midrand, shortly before 04:00 on Monday. Rekord adds his last contact was at 21:10 on Sunday night.

Crewe said they received reports of a submerged vehicle in the Hennops River, on the border of Gauteng and North West, at 09:48 on Monday.

“NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew, Hartbeespoort SRU, SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services, Hartbeespoort Law Enforcement and Tshwane Emergency Services Water Rescue Unit joined police patrol officers at the scene, where a search commenced for any possible occupants of the vehicle.”

The vehicle was recovered and is now with the police as part of ongoing investigations.

“Our thoughts are with the family of Timothy van Asche in this difficult time,” said Crewe.

Anyone with information that may assist in the case is urged to contact the Atteridgeville Police Station at 012 385 1101.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, the NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew and Hartbeespoort SRU are still searching for a fisherman.

“At 15:36 on Sunday, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew and Hartbeespoort [Strategic Rescue Unit] were activated by the SAPS following reports of a fisherman missing in the vicinity of the Oberon Resort, Hartbeespoort Dam.

“The NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam rescue craft Sea Legs was launched, and NSRI joined the police in a search operation, during which the canoe of the local adult male fisherman was located and recovered in the area where the missing man was reported to have been fishing – on Hartbeespoort Dam.”

Crewe said the SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services, assisted by NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam and Hartbeespoort SRU, continue to search for the missing fisherman.