A large police contingent has been deployed to Westville Hospital in Durban after unconfirmed reports of a hostage situation.
A Sapa reporter on scene said police snipers were positioning themselves at points surrounding the hospital kitchen, where a man was holding two women hostage.
Officials on the scene, who did not want to be named, said it was believed that one of the hostages was injured.
The man was believed to be a former patient who allegedly fired several shots at a doctor earlier.
The doctor fled the scene.
Police spokesman Lt-Col Vincent Mdunge was unable to confirm the reports. He said he would provide accurate information once he had it.
ER24 spokesman Derrick Banks could not immediately be reached for comment. - Sapa