Pietermaritzburg – A man convicted of killing a police officer was shot dead outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

He was being escorted to court for sentencing when he tried to escape, police spokesman Lt-Col Vincent Mdunge said.

When he arrived at the court he allegedly attacked a police officer. The officer called for help and two other policemen tried to restrain the man.

During the scuffle, the prisoner apparently managed to disarm one of the officers. He was shot in the upper body and leg when he refused to surrender.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate would investigate. – Sapa