Johannesburg - An aircraft crashed into the Modimolle dam in Mmabatho on Tuesday evening, according to North West police.
The aircraft was spotted by a cattle herder near the dam, said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.
He described the aircraft as a plane, but SABC radio news reported that it was a helicopter.
Ngubane said boats were coming from Klerksdorp to assist. The aircraft had landed in the water between 5.30pm and 6pm and was some distance away from where police were.
They were unable to investigate until the boats arrived as it was dark and the dam was large and deep, Ngubane said.
It was assumed that two people were inside the aircraft - a pilot and an assistant.
Police suspected the aircraft may have been a training plane from the nearby Mafikeng airport.
Ngubane could not confirm the cause of the accident or any other details until investigations had started. - Sapa