S.Africa police probe own officer after airport shooting

People exit a plane at the international airport in Cape Town on February 28, 2010. By Stephane de Sakutin (AFP/File)

Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa's police watchdog Thursday launched a probe into a deadly shooting at Cape Town's international airport after it emerged that the alleged gunman was a police officer.

Three people were injured in the shooting at an airport restaurant on Wednesday evening, before the officer apparently turned the gun on himself. He died from his injuries.

"The allegations are that a 37-year-old police constable... shot and wounded his partner and two other patrons at the Ocean Basket restaurant inside the airport building," the Independent Police Investigative Directorate said in a statement.

It is believed the shooting was sparked by an argument between the officer and his partner, the watchdog said.

One witness, William Scott, told News24 the gunman had "jumped over the Ocean Basket sushi bar and chased one of the ladies working at the back".

"She ran though the side door, just past where I was sitting, and the man following behind her pulled out his pistol," he said on Wednesday night.

The attack happened at around 6.00pm local time (1600GMT).

The ground floor restaurant was declared a crime scene and was cordoned off by police, although it has since reopened.

There was no disruption to flights at the airport and many passengers were unaware of the incident, according to airport officials.

Comments: