Police have confirmed that the body of a 30-year-old man, an alleged thief, was recovered from the Keyser River near Steenberg on Sunday night after he was swept away by the flood waters last Wednesday.

Police say reports suggest that two men were accused by members of the public that they stole items at a nearby business premises in Steenberg on Wednesday, and community members chased the duo.

The two men then reportedly jumped into a nearby river near to the corners of Military and Flora Road.

One of the suspects managed to get across the river whilst the second suspect swam under the bridge and once on the other side he went down into the water and didn’t resurface again.

The local police members searched the river banks and walked along the side of the river.

The assistance of the SAPS Provincial Diving unit was requested who conducted a search in the river with no success.

Steenberg police registered a missing person report for further investigation, and the search continued including the assistance of the local community members and the NSRI.

The body of the man was recovered on Sunday night, and Kirstenhof police have registered an inquest for further investigation.

Last week, heavy rain had resulted the Keyser river bursting its banks twice, causing flooding in the surrounding Tokai area.

WATCH: Dramatic flood footage of Cape storms, 3 rescued from canal

Meanwhile, The body of a 15-year old boy, who ended up in a river in Worcester last week has also been found. He was removed from strong flowing water at Drie Bruggies.

At the same time, the body of a 64-year-old man was reportedly also removed Sunday  morning from Arbeidsgenot Farm, in Vredendal, while police divers also retrieved a body from Buffeljagsriver in the Overberg on Saturday.

It is not clear how the three other victims ended up in the flood waters.