The Durban North SAPS have opened an inquest docket after the body of a man, believed to be in his 40s, was found on Wednesday morning on Glenashley Beach in Durban.

According to the SAPS, the man was spotted in the shore break near Ypsilanti Avenue on the beach side, just after 09:30.

SAPS Search and Rescue helped recover the body of the man, who was found with just his pants on.

According to rescue personnel on scene, the man was also found without shoes on or any identifying documents on his person, and it is believed he may be homeless.

Durban North police confirmed that a post-mortem still needed to be conducted to confirm the official cause of death.

According to the eThekwini Municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, rescue and emergency teams worked throughout last night’s heavy rains and responded to more than 100 calls for assistance.

“The teams rescued people that were trapped in their properties and on the roads, especially in the PINK area (Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu). Other areas affected include Pinetown, Saint Wendolins, Nazareth, New Germany, Westville, Reservoir Hills, Umkomaas, Mbumbulu and Folweni.”

In all, there is one reported fatality in Zwelisha where an adult male was washed away by raging waters after yesterday’s heavy rains.