One suspect was shot and injured by a KwaZulu-Natal police officer while another was arrested during a robbery for his firearm at his homestead in Richards Bay, northern KZN.

According to the sources, it is alleged that the police officer, stationed at Richards Bay,  was in his bedroom when he heard people in his house on Saturday night. 

It is alleged that the people were demanding the firearm from his wife, who was in the dining room. 

The police officer walked from the bedroom to the dining room with his service firearm.

“When he was at the passage, he met a male with a firearm. The suspect shot him in his left hand and he returned fire by shooting twice and injuring the second suspect who was in possession of a knife and was about to stab the policeman's wife,” said police.

“He shot him in the head, he fell down and the one with the firearm ran away and fired other shots which damaged his sliding door.” 

Police were told by their colleague that he was not sure whether the one who had been shot at was also injured as he ran.

According to the wife, the two suspects came in from the kitchen door as their son was opening the door. He was threatened with the firearm by the two men.

They demanded the firearm and they said they knew the father was a police officer. 

Two empty cartridges were found on the scene. Both belonged to the homeowner. The suspect's cartridges were not found.

Witnesses said both suspects wore masks and gloves.

The police officer was rushed to the local clinic and later transferred to Empangeni Garden Hospital.

The injured suspect is under guard in hospital and another was arrested. 

Lizzy Suping, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson confirmed the incident and said it was reported at Esikhaleni SAPS. 

She said a case of discharge of a firearm was reported to Ipid and their preliminary investigation is under way.

TimesLIVE