Johannesburg - Two would-be copper cable thieves drowned near Marble Hall in Limpopo after a farmer shot them on Tuesday, police said.

The 40-year-old farmer shot at the men after he caught them digging up cables around 03:00, Lieutenant Colonel Mohale Ramatseba said.

"The men, aged 32 and 35, ran into the farm dam and drowned. Both had bullet wounds in the head and upper body," Ramatseba said.

"Their lifeless bodies were recovered by police divers. The firearm used was confiscated for further investigations. 

The case will be sent to the director of public prosecutions who will decide on the matter," Ramatseba said.

The names of the Mpumalanga men would be released as soon as their families had been notified. No arrests have been made.