An SA National Defence member was arrested by police on Friday for allegedly shooting a Sheriff of the Court and causing a locksmith to fall from a flat in Pretoria.

Tshwane police spokesperson Captain Tessa Jansen said the incident occurred at 9am at Read Towers.

The sheriff and the locksmith visited the soldier (40) at the block of flats on the corner of Read and Prinsloo streets with the aim of confiscating some of his movable assets. They were apparently acting on orders from the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.

Jansen said it was not yet clear as to why the two were going to confiscate assets from the soldier.

"A locksmith opened the door of his flat on the third floor and they both introduced themselves to him. But the member of the army drew his service pistol and fired one shot in the stomach of the sheriff, who collapsed groaning in pain.

"The locksmith tried to flee but he fell to the second floor of the building, breaking his right leg and hand in the process", explained Jansen.

The soldier then locked himself in his flat.

The other tenants saw what was happening and called the police, who responded in numbers to plead with the man to open the door.

"A hostage negotiator was called to the scene to talk to him, and he surrendered after two hours," said Jansen.

The two victims were rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Pretoria in a serious condition.

"We arrested the man and charged him with murder. He is expected to appear at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court soon," Jansen said.