Wounded MML reaction officer taken off ventilator
His family thanks everybody for their support during the past few days.
Reaction officer Rudi Botes (38) of Cresslawn had been taken off a ventilator on Sunday after being shot in the head during an attempted robbery in Chloorkop on April 30.
Although the father of two is still in intensive care, he will soon be moved to the high care unit and from there to a normal ward, his sister-in-law, Lexi Botes, said on Monday morning.
“A long road of rehabilitation lies ahead for him, but he is doing well. He is more awake and talks a bit,” she said.
Botes, a reaction officer with MML Security, was initially kept in an induced coma after having undergone surgery to relief pressure on his brain.
His family thanks everybody for their support during the past week or so, including his employer.
Rudi was wounded while responding to an alarm at a company in Chloorkop.
Also read:
• Wounded MML reaction officer kept in induced coma
• MML security officer critically wounded in Chloorkop robbery
In a post on its Facebook page shortly after the incident, 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.”
Sebenza SAPS is investigating an attempted murder case.
“It is alleged Botes was shot by suspects who were travelling in a white VW Golf GTI,” said Sgt Sharon Tsotsotso, spokesperson for Sebenza SAPS.
“Botes and his colleague were responding to a panic button at the business premises when they came across the suspects who were exiting the property. The suspects started shooting and the officers returned fire.”
Tsotsotso said the other officer was unharmed and the number of suspects was unknown.
According to Sec Pros’ Gerald Groenewald, 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, 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. Our security officers matter.”
