A 36-year-old woman died in her sleep on Wednesday morning when a wall collapsed in a mudslide after heavy rains in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal.
According to police, the incident happened in the early hours of the morning at an informal settlement in Umlazi V Section.
"A mudslide near the Umlazi DSW depot caused a house to collapse at Umlazi V Section," police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said.
Gwala added that the woman, identified as Zanele Ngcongo, was crushed beneath the rubble and debris.
Ngcongo's body was recovered and was carried through the narrow pathways up to the roadway, where it was handed over to Umlazi police.
KwaZulu-Natal Cogta department spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila urged residents to be cautious.
He said no other major incidents were reported in the area.
An inquest docket has been opened.