A senior Durban policeman — part of a task team following up on a case — was shot dead in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Wednesday.

Superintendent Jay Naicker said the 43-year-old superintendent was on duty in K Section at the time.

The task team had been conducting an operation in the area when they spotted suspicious-looking occupants of a car. Three policemen approached the car, when one of the people in the car opened fire on them.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said the officer was declared dead at the scene.

It was unknown if any of the gunmen were injured or if any arrests had been made.

Neither the victim's name, nor details of the case he was working on had been released. Naicker said more details would be released in a statement shortly.

Sapa