A man was allegedly shot by his employer in the ankle after he used his employer?s toilet in the Durban central business district, police said on Thursday.

"The Malawian man went to the toilet and on his return his employer asked him where he had gone to. He told him he was at the toilet and showed him the toilet he had used. The employer then drew out his gun and shot him once in the left ankle," said Captain Khephu Ndlovu.

It was believed the employer did not want the man to use his toilet, he said.

Ndlovu said the incident happened on Monday and the employer was expected to be arrested on Thursday afternoon.

"A case of attempted murder was opened and the employer is expected to be arrested today [Thursday]," said Ndlovu.