AN INTERNAL inquiry will be conducted after a police man shot and killed another police officer.

Police officer Ruben Dube, 30, was allegedly shot and killed by another officer yesterday afternoon.

Dube and a hired hit man, Sakhiseni Dladla, who is allegedly his nephew, were arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Durban policeman Francis Pillay.

Pillay, 50, was gunned down at point blank range outside his home at Lotus Park, Isiphingo, last month.

He was shot four times.

Pillay had worked in a unit that investigated policemen who were facing disciplinary hearings.

He had previously served as head of detectives at the Isiphingo police station and as station commissioner at KwaMakhutha.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Radebe said: "On Tuesday, June 29, members of the Organised Crime Unit in Cato Manor booked out a murder accused for further investigation.

"While at the Organised Crime offices, the accused requested to use the men's room," she said.

Radebe said members of the Organised Crime Unit then escorted him to the men's room and removed his restraints.

"It is alleged that while in the men's room, the accused grabbed hold of one of the investigator's firearms and attempted to shoot him.

"The second investigator, who was also in the men's room, then drew his firearm and fired four shots in the direction of the suspect, fatally wounding him in the process.

"The suspect was certified dead by paramedics who were summoned to the scene.

"The Independent Complaints Directorate was informed of the incident and an inquest docket has been opened for further investigation. While the criminal matter is being investigated, we will also conduct an internal inquiry into the incident," Radebe said.

Dladla was on Monday sentenced to 24 years in prison by the Durban magistrate's court after confessing to have been hired by Dube to kill Pillay.