By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

Photo Credit:Rina Coetzee.

The local actor Gregg Pettigrew, 51, allegedly shot and killed his 29-year-old lover in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

The shooting occurred in Pettigrew's home, a rental cottage in the area.

Norkem Park Police spokesperson Colonel Barbara-Anne Ferreira says they found a dead male on the scene.

"The other male was still in the bed, next to the male, and he had a firearm in his hand," she said.

She said he was drowsy.

"We noticed that there were tablets. He drank an overdose of tablets."

"He was attested and taken to Tembisa Hospital after it was found he had taken an overdose of tablets", added Ferreira.

Meanwhile producers of the Afrikaans television soapie, 7de Laan confirmed that the Pettigrew was not part of their current cast.

In a statement sent out on Friday on behalf of its broadcasting channel, SABC 2, producers of the South African soapie said although they can confirm that the suspect in question for murder is not part of their current cast, at the same time, they are still deeply saddened by the reported "tragic act of domestic violence".

Police have, however confirmed that the suspect featured on other programmes like Diepe Waters, Getroud met Rugby and movie The Good, the Old and the Greedy.

He faces charges of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday.