Off-duty KZN metro cop found dead in car on N2

A KwaZulu-Natal metro police officer was found with a single gunshot wound to his head in a vehicle parked on the side of the N2 near the old airport south of Durban on Friday.

Police spokesperson Col Thembeka Mbele said the officer was found at about 10am. 

“An off-duty metro police officer was found with a gunshot wound to the head. His body was found inside the vehicle near the old airport on the N2 freeway. An inquest docket has been opened for investigation by Umlazi SAPS,” said Mbele.

Durban metro police head Steve Middleton confirmed that the officer was one of their members.

“I know exactly what happened, but I cannot comment,” he said.

Rescue Care's Garrith Jamieson said the officer was found in a vehicle on the northbound lane, heading towards Durban, and was declared dead on the arrival of paramedics.

“On arrival, paramedics found Saps in attendance and found a vehicle parked on the side. On assessment it was found that a male, believed to be in his 40s and believed to be a policeman, sustained a gunshot wound to the upper part of his body.”

Jamieson said paramedics could do nothing further.

It is understood that the officer held the rank of inspector at Durban's metro police.