Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

Police in KwaZulu-Natal are looking for a police officer who allegedly shot and killed three family members at a house in Ntshongweni, outside Hillcrest, on Saturday.

Two other family members were taken to hospital, where one of them died. The fifth is fighting for his life.

The police officer, who cannot be named until he has pleaded in court, was off duty when he allegedly stormed the home and demanded to speak to one of the family members.

When that person refused the officer fired several shots, killing three people on the spot.

The officer then fled the scene and police have not been able to track him down.

Police spokesman Vincent Mdunge said: "We have launched a massive search and should bring him to book soon."

The incident has left the community of Ntshongweni in shock.

"He was off duty and his visit was not related to police work," Mdunge said. "Though we cannot say for sure, we suspect that the murder weapon might have been his service pistol."

In another incident, also on Saturday, a jealous husband shot and killed his wife at their home in Northdale, in Pietermaritzburg, before turning the gun on himself.

Berisha Reddy was killed as a result of a domestic dispute that had forced her to stay next door.

Police spokesman Hendry Budhram said she ran for her life but her husband, Narseem Reddy, chased after her and shot at her while she was fleeing.

She died of several gunshot wounds to the body just outside her home.

The husband then went back into his house and shot himself in the head.

He was taken to hospital where he died a few hours later.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.