Rudi Botes, an MML Security reaction officer, is fighting for his life in the Netcare Milpark Hospital after being shot in the head in Chloorkop on Tuesday night.
Prayers for his recovery had been streaming in on social media since the news broke early on Wednesday morning.
In a post on its Facebook page, MML Security wrote: “Today is a very sad day at MML Security. Last night our reaction unit had an incident in Chloorkop where suspects were still at the premises upon their arrival.
“The suspects opened fire and the reaction team returned fire. One of our officers was hit in the head and had to be transported by helicopter to hospital.
“We would like to thank each and every colleague from Alpha Security, Sec Pros, SSS, Target Security, EMS from FEMS, ER24, Netcare 911, Emer-G-Med and CPF who assisted at the scene.”
According to Sec Pros’ Gerald Groenewald, Botes was airlifted to Milpark Hospital. The other officer is unharmed.
Groenewald told Express Botes is a well-known officer in the community, especially in the security community.
“We work the streets together and have been for some time and this is a sad moment for us.”
“To see about 80 response officers and medics on scene visibly rattled with tears in their eyes just rocks a person’s very foundation. We appeal to the community to keep Botes in their prayers as he is in a critical but stable condition. Our security officers matter.”
It is believed Botes was scheduled for surgery at 7.30am on Wednesday morning.
