The community of Burford in the uThukela District of KZN is still reeling in shock after a man drowned in a farm dam on Friday.

The incident happened during the day when the deceased and others went fishing at the dam, which is located on a farm along the Driefontein road.

According to eyewitnesses, the victim dived into the water to catch a fish which he believed was already hooked by his rod. The others say that as he was swimming back to the bank, he got tired and disappeared under the water.

The Ladysmith K9 Unit (led by Warrant Officer Jacques Meyer), with Pietermaritzburg Search-and-Rescue, responded to the scene yesterday.

Two police dogs, Storm from Ladysmith and Raven from Pietermaritzburg, played a crucial role in identifying where the body was. This helped the divers to successfully recover the body.

Ward councillor Mthokozisi Khoza also responded to the scene and provided refreshments to community members who had been camping out at the dam since Friday.