Len Cloete’s health hinders investigations as police ‘still needs his side of the story’ in shooting
"He has serious brain damage because doctors had to remove shrapnel from his brain and this is why he cannot speak.”
It has been seven months since Pretoria east businessman Len Cloete was shot in the head during an altercation with police officers.
Police, however, still haven’t finished their investigation into the matter because they still need “to hear his side of the story”.
Cloete was shot in the head by a police officer after he forcefully took a gun from a female officer during an argument that turned physical at Misty Hill Country Hotel in Muldersdrift in November 2021.
Cloete sustained severe injuries to the head and underwent bullet fragment removal surgery. He has been in and out of intensive high care since the incident.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) Lizzy Suping said the investigation was still ongoing because “as indicated previously, we need to speak to the victim [Cloete] and hear his side of the story. Unfortunately he is unwell at the moment”.
While several months have passed and Cloete has been unable to speak, it is still not clear whether Ipid will conclude the investigation without speaking to him.
Luke Enslin, a lead investigator for Specialised Security Services (the private investigation company appointed by Cloete’s family), said due to severe damage to the head Cloete might not be able to speak in the “foreseeable future”.
“His medical condition is of such a nature that he cannot talk; he has serious brain damage. One of the medical reports detailed that the doctors had to remove shrapnel from his brain and this injury is the reason why he cannot speak.”
In May, Cloete was in hospital and his condition was described as “dire”.
Enslin said Cloete was again in hospital, admitted for the flu and chest infection and was discharged on June 17. Since then, although back at home,
Enslin said he was still not well.
“He still cannot speak. This is hampering all the investigations because we [private investigators], Ipid and the police need to speak to him. This is to get his side of the story, which we will not be able to get in the foreseeable future,” Enslin said.
“Nothing can go forward without him being able to speak. If he cannot speak, the NPA will have to rely on medical reports and the evidence they have and make a decision on whether they will prosecute him. I’m not sure what Ipid will do.”
Enslin said Cloete’s wife Chantal had caregivers for him.
“His wife [Chantal] went to extra lengths to ensure there is a place for him at home where he can be looked after for 24 hours a day.
“We are all praying for a miracle and hope he will be better soon.”
Last year, the Cloete family opened a case of attempted murder against the police at the Muldersdrift police station. Police are also investigating a case of robbery, assault and malicious damage to property against Cloete.
The initial police report on the incident stated: “The police were called after Cloete had an altercation with staff members [of the hotel].
“He [Cloete] allegedly insulted the police and assaulted two of them with fists before drawing his firearm which could not cock.
“He then forcefully grabbed the firearm from the officer’s holster. He was shot by another officer before he could use the firearm he grabbed.”
WATCH a short video from the night of the incident:
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