A man, Len Cloete, was shot at a Muldersdrift lodge by police after a fiery encounter and the entire ordeal was caught on camera.
Muldersdrift lodge guest shot in the head by police
The incident took place at the room Cloete and his wife, Chantal Deindre, booked at Misty Hills Lodge this past weekend. According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), police were called to the Johannesburg lodge after Cloete allegedly vehemently refused to vacate the premises.
It’s believed he and his wife had shared some words with the lodge’s staff and management. While it’s unclear what was said, IPID spokesperson Grace Langa revealed, in a statement, that police were contacted by the lodge as a last resort to removing the irate couple from the premises.
However, as Langa explained, the police’s presence only aggravated the situation.
“He became more aggressive. Police were called in to assist, and the guest started fighting with police. He took out a firearm and cocked it. A bullet fell out,” Langa said.
In the video clip that’s since gone viral, Cloete was seen in a heated confrontation with at least five police officers, three of whom were stationed outside the room.
Len Cloete faces robbery, assault charges
Things went from worse to worst when Cloete, in the midst of his wife’s screams, disarmed an officer. It was at this point that police took decisive action and fired a single shot at the lodge guest, striking him in the head.
Cloete was rushed to the hospital where, according to Langa, he is in a coma, under police guard.
IPID also confirmed that while an internal probe is underway to assess the actions of the police officers, Cloete may face charges of robbery, assault and malicious damage to property.
Cloete’s wife posted this tribute on Facebook: