A policeman killed his ex-wife and attempted to kill himself in Isipingo outside Durban on Thursday afternoon, paramedics said.

"An SA Police Service member shot his ex wife dead in Isipingo and also shot himself," said Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha.

"He survived and was taken to hospital with two gunshot wounds to his head."

The shooting happened at the woman's home. Reasons for the policeman's actions were not immediately clear.