Welkom missing educator Gert Adams found dead

Police in Welkom have confirmed that the missing educator, 55-year-old Gert Adams, has been found deceased. Adams was reported missing on the 4th of October.

His body was retrieved from a water pan at Klippan, near the Steyn 1 mining area on Thursday.

Free State police spokesperson Palesa Thabana says police were alerted by a fisherman who noticed a foul smell while fishing and subsequently spotted a body floating in the water.

Thabana says the deceased was identified by his family on Friday. His vehicle had been recovered from Klippan two days after his disappearance.

Thabana says police have opened an inquest docket to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

“A fisherman reportedly saw a human body floating in the water; he immediately alerted the police. The Bloemfontein diving unit was activated, and the police divers successfully retrieved the submerged body, and he was then brought to shore. The male victim was pronounced deceased by emergency medical services personnel. The deceased was formerly identified by his family. Circumstances leading to the incident form part of ongoing police investigations. Police have registered an inquest for further investigations to establish the cause of death.”

#sapsFS [WELKOM MISSING EDUCATOR GERT ADAMS (55) FOUND DECEASED]

The search for the 55-year-old Gert Adams, who was reported #missing on 04/10, has ended in tragedy. This is after police divers retrieved his body from a water pan in Welkom.

On Thursday, at approximately 11:35, Welkom police were summoned to Klippan near the Steyn 1 mining area after a fisherman reportedly saw a human body floating in the water. According to information, while the African male was fishing, he experienced a foul smell coming from the water. That was when he allegedly saw the body floating in the water.

He immediately alerted the police. On their arrival, they met with the complainant, who directed them to the area where the body was seen.

The Bloemfontein Diving Unit was activated, and the police divers successfully retrieved the submerged body, which was then brought to shore.

The male victim was pronounced deceased by emergency medical services personnel.

On Friday, 30 October 2026, the deceased was identified by his family as Gert Adams (55). His vehicle was recovered from Klippan two days after his disappearance. The deceased was found with car keys in his pocket.

Circumstances leading to the incident form part of police investigations.

Police have registered an inquest docket for further investigations to establish the cause of death.

#CrimeStop #watersafety SG

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) October 30, 2026

Report by

Lebohang Motshweneng