A policeman was shot dead, allegedly by a wanted criminal in Durban's busy Warwick Triangle, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Wednesday.

Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said officers from the Durban Central police station had been following up on leads on a case on Tuesday night when the incident took place.

"Police had information that a suspect, who is wanted for several crimes, was hiding out at Warwick Triangle.

"When the suspect saw the police, he pulled out a firearm and fired in the direction of a police officer."

The policeman, whose name could not be disclosed, was shot in the neck. He died on the scene. The remaining officers returned fire, seriously wounding the gunman.

Panicked passers-by and commuters ducked for cover behind buses and taxis during the shooting.

"He was taken to hospital and is in a stable condition under police guard. Once he is discharged, he will appear in court," said Mdunge of the wanted man.

Sapa