Pretoria man stable in coma after shot by police in head
The Pretoria man, who was shot in the head by a police officer after he snatched a gun from another officer during an altercation at Muldersdrift Misty Hills lodge, is currently stable but still in a coma in hospital.
Len Cloete was shot in the head by a police officer after he snatched a gun from another police officer during an argument in the early hours of Saturday (November 12) in Muldersdrift, Gauteng.
Cecil Benade, an investigator for Specialised Security Services, the private investigation company appointed by the family, said “he is currently stable in hospital and that is where we stand at the moment”. Benade also said Cloete’s family “is here in Muldersdrift”.
He said they were still investigating the events that led to the shooting and whether the police acted lawfully when they shot Cloete. Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) acting spokesperson Grace Langa said they were investigating the case, which involved the discharge of an official firearm. “We will also check on him throughout the day,” she said.
Cloete’s wife, Chantal Deidrè, shared a public post on Facebook on Saturday stating that her husband was fighting for his life in hospital.
My husband is fighting for his life. My heart is completely broken. “Taking day by day. We miss you! Your kids are waiting for you. Fight my husband, I can’t lose you, not like that. Please everyone pray for a miracle. “We love you, my angel, my husband, my everything. Please come back to us,” the post read.
According to the police, Cloete was allegedly arguing with the staff of the guest house where they were booked. The manager requested that Cloete, his wife and another couple leave and that the lodge would refund them, but he refused. Police officers were then called in to assist and when the police arrived, the guests allegedly started fighting with the police.
“[Cloete] took a firearm out of the bed drawer and cocked it and a bullet fell out. It is alleged that he disarmed a police officer of his firearm. [Cloete] was now in possession of two firearms. A police officer took out his service pistol and shot [Cloete] once in the head,” the Ipid statement read.
The guest was taken to a hospital under police guard.
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