The body of an Eastern Cape man who had been missing was found in a river in Centane on Sunday.

According to police spokesperson Captain Jackson Manatha, Zwelethu Njama, 27, didn't appear to have any visible injuries and his cellphone was found on his person.

Centane police have opened an inquest docket following the discovery of Njama's body.

He was last seen on Saturday at about 16:00 at the Gaqa Locality, Nxaxo Village, approximately 31km from Butterworth. He had been reported missing.

Centane police, assisted by the East London police Search and Rescue Unit along with residents of Nxaxo Village, had searched for Njama to no avail.

His body was eventually found floating in the nearby river at about 07:00 on Sunday morning by a passer-by.