A man fired several shots at his wife during an argument in the Durban city centre on Friday, wounding her, police said.

Inspector Michael Read said the 33-year-old man had been standing outside his car at the corner of West and Gardiner Streets around 10.30am, arguing with his wife who was seated inside the car.

"He then pulled out his firearm and fired three shots at her. One bullet struck her in the leg."

The remaining bullets did not hit anyone else. Passers-by ran for cover as the enraged man waved his weapon around. Police arrived at the scene and the man was arrested.

"The weapon was also seized," he said.

The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment. A case of attempted murder was being investigated.

Sapa