The family of South African activist Yusif Deedat, son of the late Islamic preacher Ahmed Deedat, said he was in a dangerous condition inside a local hospital, after an unknown person shot him.
A police official said Yusef Deedat, 65, was shot in the head while he was walking with his wife towards the Verulam court on the outskirts of Durban. The official added that the identity of the shooter - who was quick to escape - was not clear yet.
Anadolu news agency quoted the Deedat family as saying in a statement published late on Wednesday that Yusuf "is in a critical condition in a local hospital. Despite the seriousness of his injury, we still hope that he will recover." The family requested that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.
Youssef Deedat is considered one of the Muslim preachers and a prominent figure in the social circles in the city of Durban. Police said they were still investigating the cause of the attack.
Sheikh Ahmed Deedat, who died in 2005, was a prominent Islamic preacher, specializing in the field of comparing religions, and holding numerous debates with Christian preachers and priests.