An 80-year-old man was killed in a shootout with police at a property in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal on Monday.

According to Brigadier Jay Naicker, the 80-year-old shot a man in the face, after the man entered the farm to collect his herd.

The man was taken to hospital for the injuries to his face.

"Police officers, together with a hostage negotiator, approached the [80-year-old] in an effort to arrest him for the attempted murder. [He] allegedly opened fire on the police and was fatally wounded in the exchange of gunfire," said Naicker.

He said the man's firearm was seized after the shootout.

"A case of attempted murder as well as an inquest docket was opened for further investigation," said Naicker.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) are investigating the death of the man.

IPID spokesperson Moses Dlamini said officers entered a yard to arrest him.

"Upon police arrival, the [man] was approached with the assistance of a hostage negotiator but it was unsuccessful," said Dlamini.

"The [man] pointed the firearm towards the police and fired a single shot. Police returned fire and he was fatally wounded."

*This story has been amended after it emerged that the man was not a farmer as previously reported.