According to an eyewitness at the scene whose recount of the event was later backed up by a statement from SAPS, the deceased man, identified as Robie Ngcobo (35) first pointed the gun at a community member, named as Peter Matlou.

Read: Fatal shooting in Tzaneen CBD

A police officer then arrived on scene in civilian clothing and warned the man to put the firearm down, at which point he refused and pointed the firearm at the police officer. The policeman then shot the man who died on the way to Van Velden hospital.

After the incident, it was rumoured that the deceased had made use of a local mechanic and when he arrived to collect his car, there was some dispute about the work done or money owed. This is when the man pulled out a gun and started to point it at people on the scene.

These details however have not been confirmed by SAPS.

According to information received, the deceased was in lawful possession of the gun and it was licensed under his name.

He was an employee of Kgosi Monene Security.