Durban - A police captain has been arrested for attempted murder after allegedly shooting his friend during an argument over a football match.
The policeman was with friends having a braai, at a home in Mullien Place, Springtown, when he allegedly shot his friend in the chest.
According to a source close to the victim, the men had been watching the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool.
The policeman, a Liverpool supporter, was taunted by Manchester United supporters after the match, the source said.
Liverpool lost 2-0 and during an argument that followed the policeman allegedly shouted “Manchester United who?”, cocked his gun and fired a shot to the side.
The bullet struck his friend, who was sitting next to the braai stand.
It is unclear if the bullet first ricocheted off the ground.
The source said the policeman was disarmed and taken to his car by his friends.
The victim felt moisture on the side of his body and noticed blood on his shirt.
He then realised he had been shot.
His friends rushed him to hospital, where he was in critical condition.
A source said his lung and liver were damaged by the bullet, and he was undergoing an operation on Sunday night.
The source said the policeman was arrested and charged at Sydenham Police Station with attempted murder.
He was then detained at Greenwood Park Police Station.
The policeman later complained that he was not feeling well and on Sunday he was admitted to hospital, where he is under police guard.
Daily News