Crime

Man Fatally Shot in Alleged Self-Defence During Confrontation at Blackburn Informal Settlement, KZN

PrimeTime News Desk Published 11 July 2026

2 min read

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Blackburn, KwaZulu-Natal – A confrontation between a woman, her current boyfriend, and her ex-boyfriend escalated into a fatal shooting in the early hours of Saturday, 11 July 2026, at a one-room rented dwelling in an informal settlement in Blackburn, north of Durban.

According to details gathered at the scene by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the incident unfolded shortly after 05:35 when the RUSA Operations Centre received a call reporting a shooting. The deceased, a man believed to be in his mid-30s and known locally, arrived at the residence of his ex-girlfriend and began knocking aggressively on the door.

The woman opened the door, while her current boyfriend remained inside the dwelling. The ex-boyfriend reportedly stated that he was not there for the current boyfriend before an argument erupted. During the dispute, he demanded the return of items he claimed to have previously purchased for his ex-girlfriend. She denied that any of his belongings were still at the residence.

The current boyfriend later informed RUSA officers that he had been lying on the bed when the ex-boyfriend allegedly produced an Okapi knife and attempted to stab him. Fearing for his life, the current boyfriend retrieved a licensed firearm from beneath his pillow and fired a single round.

The wounded man collapsed outside the dwelling and was declared deceased at the scene. An Okapi knife and one spent cartridge casing were recovered by responders.

Further enquiries established that the deceased had allegedly left his pregnant partner at home before travelling to confront his former girlfriend. The scene was handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.

No names of the individuals involved have been released publicly at this stage. SAPS will determine the full circumstances, including verification of the self-defence claim and any additional evidence.

This incident highlights the volatile nature of personal disputes in the area, though authorities have not released further statements on motives or prior history between the parties beyond the details shared by witnesses and responders at the scene. Investigations remain ongoing.