KwaZulu-Natal police have appealed for assistance after they found a body believed to be that of a traditional healer floating in the Umzimkhulu River.

The body was found on Tuesday and police are appealing to the victim's next of kin to come forward and identify the body.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said the woman was estimated to be in her late 30s.

Gwala said St Faiths police and colleagues from the Port Shepstone Search and Rescue Unit went to the scene at the Umzimkhulu River in the Gumatane area.

"On arrival, they found the body of an unknown woman floating in the river.