National Police Commissioner General Khehla John Sitole has called for a manhunt after the fatal shooting of an off-duty police captain in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

The 55-year-old officer, who was stationed at the Marianhill Public Order Policing Unit, was shot in New Germany, Pinetown, at about 18:40 while walking home from a local store.

“Neighbours who had heard gunshots went outside to investigate and that is when they noticed a white Toyota double-cab with tinted windows speeding off,” police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said.

He said the officer was found with all his personal belongings on him, including his cellphone, wallet and service pistol, therefore, ruling out robbery as a motive for his killing.