The latest victim of the heavy rainfall is an unnamed 38-year-old man from Steynsrus who was last seen by family on 26 December, leaving home to go socialise with friends.

Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says his family realised something was amiss when the friends they believed he was with, came searching for him.

This prompted a search for the 38-year-old Free Stater that ended in tragedy.

The deceased had reportedly left all his personal belongings including a cellphone and wallet in his room. The family reported him missing to authorities on 29 December.

Whilst the missing case was being opened residents from the Matlwangtlwang discovered the body of a man floating in a nearby river.

The body was retrieved and a positive identification was made by the family confirming that the missing man had drowned.

Makhele says no foul play is suspected.

During this week OFM News has reported on multiple drownings reported in Rosendal, Oranjeville, Botshabelo, Senekal and Bothaville over the festive period.

READ MORE: Multiple drowning incidents reported in FS

Roughly nine people including two children were said to have died in the aforementioned incidents.

Free State Provincial Police Commissioner Baile Motswenyane “appeals to the community members to be careful near the streams and dams. We are aware that we are experiencing high rainfall throughout the festive season. I am humbly pleading with the community to stay away from dams and rivers as they can become easily swept by the water which can lead to drownings” says Motswenyane.

OFM News