Jacob Zuma bodyguard shot dead

Durban - One of South Africa President Jacob Zuma's bodyguards was shot dead at the weekend, The Mercury reported.

SA Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said Sergeant N J Magwaza had been fatally shot in eNtumeni, Eshowe, at about 1.30am on Monday. He had apparently been stationed at Zuma's Nkandla homestead, but had not been at work at the time.

"Magwaza, from the Presidential Protection Unit, was killed at his house in eNtumeni area Eshowe. He was attacked by an unknown male and shot," said Zwane.

Zwane said the assailant had tried to torch the rondavel in which Magwaza had been sleeping, but the fire had been extinguished. He added that the attacker had fled with Magwaza's firearm.

He said that Eshowe police were investigating the murder but that no arrests had been made.