MPUMALANGA police have not ruled out the possibility that yesterday's attack on the provincial organised crime unit boss was a hit from within their ranks.

MPUMALANGA police have not ruled out the possibility that yesterday's attack on the provincial organised crime unit boss was a hit from within their ranks.

Superintendent Obed Ngwenya, the unit's commander, was shot and wounded yesterday morning.

The incident comes on the back of Ngwenya's decision to restructure the organised, serious and violent crimes units after the disappearance of R3,75million worth of drugs from the unit's Nelspruit offices.

Police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi said: "If indeed the attackers are among us, they should know that they are a small group against a big organisation. We will arrest the perpetrators."

Ngwenya was shot outside his house at about 6.30am after taking out a rubbish bin.

"When he went back into the house he was accosted by gunmen who fired at him," Hlathi said.

Ngwenya is recovering in hospital.