A man was shot and killed after he allegedly confronted his former girlfriend and attacked her current partner with a knife at an informal settlement in Blackburn, north of Durban, on Saturday morning.
The fatal incident unfolded shortly after 5:35am, with emergency responders from Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) called to a one-room rented home where the shooting took place.
Durban Shooting Follows Alleged Confrontation At Ex-Girlfriend’s Home
According to Rusa, the deceased, believed to have been in his mid-30s, allegedly arrived at the property and repeatedly knocked on the door. His former girlfriend answered, while her current boyfriend remained inside the dwelling.
The response organisation said the man allegedly told the boyfriend that he had not come to see him. A verbal confrontation soon followed between the two men.
During the exchange, the deceased allegedly demanded the return of items he claimed to have bought for his former partner. The woman reportedly informed him that none of his belongings were still at the residence.
Self-Defence Claim After Alleged Knife Attack In Blackburn
The woman’s current boyfriend told reaction officers that he had been lying on the bed when the deceased allegedly pulled out an Okapi knife and attempted to stab him.
Fearing for his safety, he said he reached beneath a pillow for his licensed firearm and fired a single shot. He claimed he acted in self-defence.
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The injured man managed to leave the dwelling before collapsing outside. He was declared dead at the scene.
Rusa confirmed that an Okapi knife and a spent cartridge casing were recovered during the response.
SAPS Investigating Fatal Blackburn Shooting
Further enquiries by reaction officers indicated that the deceased was a well-known resident in the area. It was also alleged that he had left his pregnant current partner at home before travelling to confront his former girlfriend.
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Following the incident, the scene was secured before being handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation.
Police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting, including the self-defence claim made by the current boyfriend.
