A prisoner was shot dead by police during a daring escape from the Umbumbulu Magistrate's Court holding cells, south of Durban, on Tuesday morning.

Reports from the scene indicate that two men allegedly robbed a police officer of his firearm after escaping from the holding cell.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lt-Col Thulani Zwane confirmed the escape but  provided no further details.

This is a developing story.