The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) will this morning continue their search operation for a man who reportedly drowned in the Olifants River while fishing.

Reports indicate that Henk Heyns was on Tuesday fishing a short distance away from his home nestled on the banks of the river at Kromdraai.

A search operation subsequently started and the NSRI team fine-combed the river, while a helicopter search was conducted. SAPS officers, members of the neighbourhood watch as well as other members of the public searched along the embankment.

The river was in full flood by yesterday morning and Witbank Dam Flood Management sent out a warning for residents to stay safe, after the dam reached 98.4% capacity.

They warned residents at Presidentsrus outside eMalahleni that the low-water bridge will be flooded.

At 08:25 yesterday morning the decision was taken to open a fourth sluice gate as the dam level rose overnight.

By yesterday afternoon the Witbank Dam level was at 97.8% and four sluice gates opened at 600mm each.

“Please pray for the Heyns family as they wait for news. We will continue our search early this morning,” said Tommie Potgieter, who is part of the search team.