Col Martin van Nieuwenhuizen, acting Benoni SAPS station commander, said the deceased, who is in his mid-20s, allegedly shot himself at his parents’ home in Goedeburg at around 3pm.
Van Nieuwenhuizen said the deceased was, according to a friend, ”tired of life”.
The friend has since been arrested on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Witnesses and family of the two told Benoni police that both men are drug users.
The male who has been arrested is believed to have gone home before the incident to collect a pistol from his father’s safe, taking it back to the friend’s house.
The friend was present at the house when a shot went off. He later rushed the victim to hospital.
He was certified dead outside the medical facility.
Police have arrested the deceased’s friend.
Van Nieuwenhuizen said it is unclear whether the arrestee’s intention was to aid his friend in taking his own life.
Police are investigating the incident.
