WATCH: Shot MML security officer on the road to recovery

After being shot in the head, going for surgery, and being in an induced coma for three days and spending five weeks in hospital, MML reaction officer Rudi Botes (38) is back home and recovering.

Botes was shot in the head on April 30 while giving a back-up to one of his colleagues in Chloorkop. He was discharged on June 5.

“I was with my partner Quinten Theron when another colleague, Robert van Zyl, got an alarm call to attend to at a warehouse in Chloorkop,” said Botes.

“While on his way, Van Zyl told us he noticed a white VW GTI was following him for a while. When he mentioned this, I told Theron we must give him a back-up immediately.

“I knew we had to give a back-up because a month prior to that day, another colleague was also followed by a white VW GTI with an armed man.”

When Botes and Theron arrived at the warehouse, they realised Van Zyl was already inside the premises and patrolling.

“When we asked him where the GTI had gone, he said it went past him and around the nearby curve. We went around the bend and saw the vehicle with its lights on still idling by the curve,” said Botes.

“Theron and I both got out, and from a distance we asked the driver of the GTI to get out. He had his window open, and arrogantly asked why he must get out; I approached the vehicle and as soon as I got to the vehicle, the passenger got a fright and lifted a rifle and fired the shot.

“Suddenly, I felt something penetrating through my skull and exit and I realised I had been shot. That was a high-powered rifle and at such close range it could have caused more damage, but it hit a part of the door before it got to me, which I think reduced the speed and power of the bullet.

“I remember squatting and seeing blood drip from my head, at some stage I remember seeing Theron also shooting at the suspects. I can’t recall how I moved from where I was shot, but I was told Quinton moved me.”

Botes also told Express that Van Zyl heard the shots and went outside to give assistance. Rietta du Plessis, Sec Pros’ ILS paramedic, arrived on the scene to attend to Botes.

“I remember hearing sirens and seeing red lights and Du Plessis attending to my wound. The last thing I remember from the scene is holding onto my brother’s (Loffie) hand,” explained Botes.

The father of two was airlifted to the Netcare Milpark Hospital that night, and went for surgery the following morning and was in an induced coma until the Saturday (May 4).

He also told Express that when he regained consciousness, he thought that being shot was only a dream.

“When I woke up, I tried to get up but I couldn’t as my hands were tied and I had a tube down my throat.

“I tried to ask the nurses how long I had been in hospital for, but they told me I couldn’t talk due to the tube but told me it had been four days.”

“It hit me at that time that it is real. When Loffie and Lexi came to visit, they explained everything to me and I managed to put everything together. I was then moved from the trauma ICU to the High Care the following week and then to a normal ward on May 15. I was transferred to the rehabilitation centre until I was discharged.

“My children are my strength, and they kept me going and fighting for my life, and it was an emotional moment when I saw them for the first time after being shot. I was in the rehabilitation centre.”

Although Botes is on his way to recovery, there are after effects.

“I can’t smell, my vision in my right eye is blurred, hearing in my right ear is affected as it sounds like there is a box on my ear and there is numbness on my right thigh. The specialist also said it should be rectified with time but there are also chances that it might not,”

“I have also been put off driving for six months even though I can’t wait to go back to work. I am not scared but I am more vigilant of my surroundings.

“I want to go back to work and continue to provide for my children and be a better father. I thank everyone who was there for me from the beginning to the end. Thanks to my mother, Loffie, Lexi, Armando (younger brother) and Helen (younger sister).

“Support from MML Security was and still is strong and I appreciate it a lot. A big thank you to all other security companies for their support; we are all family and working together as one. I am also humbled by the community’s support, I was told that there were prayer meetings held for my recovery, and I am truly thankful from the bottom of my heart.

“Thank you to Du Plessis for being the first ILS respondent on the scene. I am looking forward towards to a speedy recovery and future ahead.”