The Muldersdrift lodge shooting is the subject of an internal police investigation after a guest, Len Cloete, was shot in the head following a stand-off with authorities.
What caused the Muldersdrift lodge shooting?
The video footage of the incident that’s since gone viral shows the moment Cloete and his wife Chantal were approached by South African police at their room in Misty Hills, a popular lodge in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg.
As reported by IOL News, Len and Chantal had been asked to vacate the establishment after a fiery encounter with staff. It’s unclear what prompted the argument but the couple had vehemently refused to leave and as a result, Misty Hills management contacted police.
In the video, five police officers are seen trying to de-escalate an irate Len who, at first, was naked. Donning nothing but blue underpants, the man challenges police, categorically making it clear that neither he nor his wife was going to leave the lodge.
Suddenly, in the midst of his wife screaming, “you guys (police) are supposed to protect us,” Len pulls out a loaded firearm and cocks it. Surprisingly, the police, three of whom were stationed outside the room, with another two within close proximity to the situation, stood still as Len waved his loaded pistol wildly, threatening to shoot.
Things went from worse to worst when the man, completely blinded by rage in an unprovoked situation, approached an officer and disarmed him.
Immediately, one of the officers in the room pulled out a firearm and shot Len in the head.
WARNING: The video embedded below contains graphic scenes that depict violence. Viewers discretion is strongly advised.
Shooting at a lodge in Muldersdrift. The guest was apparently involved in an argument with staff & police were alerted. On arrival, there was an argument & he pulled a firearm. Police fired a shot. The man is in hospital under guard. IPID is probing the case. ***⚠️ Graphic video pic.twitter.com/cmDSLe0W0B
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) November 15, 2021
IPID confirm internal investigation, man fighting for his life
Emergency medical officials responded to Misty Hills lodge shortly after the shooting and the man was rushed to a nearby hospital. According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) handling the internal probe, Len is in a coma under police guard.
IPID, it’s believed, is assessing the shooting to determine if there was any culpability from the side of the officers who responded to the scene.
It remains to be seen if the officer who shot Len will face any punitive measures for the actions he took. Moreover, it’s believed the man who escalated the Muldersdrift lodge shooting is facing charges of robbery, assault and malicious damage to property.
This was the Facebook message posted by Chantal in tribute to her husband.