Tintswalo Safari Lodge manager still in ICU after being shot by former employee

Emily Leuner (38), general manager of the luxury Tintswalo Safari Lodge in the Manyeleti Nature, is still recovering in the ICU of Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg. This is according to Janie van der Spuy, spokesperson for the Tintswalo Collection group of hotels and lodges.

Leuner was allegedly shot by a staff member, a security guard, who had been dismissed after a disciplinary hearing. He returned to the lodge and allegedly shot Leuner four times in the upper body and legs before taking his own life. Leuner was airlifted to the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on the same day.

She is said to have been left paralysed after the shooting after she sustained serious spinal and lung injuries and requires extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Leuner and her husband, Alistair, were appointed manager couple at Tintswalo Safari Lodge in 2017. They are well-known in the wildlife and safari industry and used to work at Sabi Sabi. Alistair is the general manager of Tintswalo Safari Products.

The couple has three young children.

Police spokesperson Captain Magonseni Nkosi said on Friday that the incident is still under investigation.