CAPE TOWN – Two young men have been apprehended in connection with a violent attack on three DA parliamentarians in Philippi on Tuesday afternoon, as Western Cape serious and violent crime detectives work around the clock to bring all perpetrators to justice.
The second suspect, a 16-year-old, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning at Browns Farm following intensive overnight investigations by detectives pursuing leads in the case. The teenager has since been charged in connection with the attack.
This follows the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect on Tuesday evening, who was apprehended while seeking medical treatment at a Lentegeur medical facility. The suspect had sustained injuries during the incident, believed to have been shot when one of the vehicle occupants fired back in response to the attack. He remains under police guard in hospital.
Both suspects face charges of attempted murder and attempted hijacking.
The victims – Police Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron, Nicholas Gotsell, and Lisa-Maré Schickerling – were traveling in their vehicle when they became targets of what police describe as a brazen attack by three male suspects.
The incident occurred shortly before 14:00 near the Caltex service station at the corner of Eisleben and Govan Mbeki Roads in Philippi, moments after the MPs had concluded an oversight visit to the local police training college.
During the violent assault, the attackers used bricks to smash multiple windows of the vehicle, including the driver’s side, front passenger side, and rear passenger windows. Gotsell sustained a head injury after being struck by a brick, while Cameron suffered cuts to his face and hands during the attack.
A shot was fired at one of the attackers during the incident before the suspects fled the scene. Schickerling escaped injury.
The attackers fled empty handed.
Initial reports indicate that three attackers were involved and police have indicated that they are searching for a third suspect.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola had issued an urgent directive to the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner to deploy Provincial Serious Violent Crime (SVC) investigators to work around the clock in tracking down all suspects involved in the attack.
“This criminal act, which targeted Members of Parliament, is a direct attack on the safety of citizens and will not be tolerated,” General Masemola said. “We are sending a stern warning to all those involved in serious and violent crimes; the SAPS has deployed all available resources to ensure that criminals are hunted down, apprehended, and put behind bars to face the full might of the law.”
The DA has condemned the attack in strong terms, with Chief Whip George Michalakis describing the incident as “a reflection of crime that is out of control that South Africans are confronted with on a daily basis.”
“The DA has long called on successive ANC ministers to ensure that policing in areas like Philippi becomes a priority, and we will continue to do so. Policing is a national function,” Michalakis said in a statement.
The party has called on the Minister of Police to urgently ensure adequate resources are allocated to crime-ridden areas to prevent such incidents and future loss of life.
The attack has highlighted ongoing security concerns in the Western Cape, where gang-related crimes continue to receive priority attention through elevated operational and intelligence-led strategic interventions.
Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith confirmed the incident and noted that Cameron had called for assistance immediately after the attack. Western Cape MEC for Community Safety and Police Oversight Anroux Marais also confirmed the incident.
Masemola added that creating safer communities and strengthening business confidence remain core priorities for SAPS. He has urged community members to collaborate with police by providing reliable information that could lead to the swift arrest of the remaining suspect still at large.
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