A station commander and his branch commander were shot dead near Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Abie Khoabane said it was not clear what led to the shooting but an investigation had been launched.

"The commanders were together in an office when one of their colleagues who was next door suddenly heard two gunshots and rushed to see what had happened.

"Both commanders were found on the floor with bullet wounds to their heads," he said.

The station commander was declared dead shortly after the incident.

The branch commander was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died on arrival.

"An inquest is underway to determine who is the murderer, who committed suicide or even if there was an intruder or if it was an accidental shot," Khoabane said.

The families of the officials were yet to be informed of their deaths.

Sapa