Jake Manten, NSRI Vaal Dam station commander, said, “On arrival on the scene we determined that a male aged in his thirties, believed to be from Malawi, reportedly launched on a rowing fishing canoe to take out fishing lines to the dam but according to reports the canoe capsized and he was last seen disappearing under water.”

Bystanders had attempted rescue efforts but the swollen flooded river and debris floating rapidly downstream hampered efforts.

The NSRI rescue swimmers entered the water to search but with the river in flood and with floating debris rapidly flowing downstream we were only able to conduct shoreline and surface water search efforts.

A Police Dive Unit were activated.

An extensive search has revealed no sign of the missing man and Police divers are tasked to continue in an ongoing search.