In a turn of events, three Members of Parliament from the Democratic Alliance (DA) were injured in a brutal smash-and-grab attack in Philippi on Tuesday, reportedly having received a warning about potential danger just moments before the assault.

The MPs, Nicholas Gotsell, Ian Cameron (Chair of Parliament’s police portfolio committee), and Lisa-Maré Schickerling, had just departed the SAPS training college when their vehicle was surrounded by men armed with bricks near the intersection of New Eisleben and Govan Mbeki Roads.

DA MP Nicholas Gotsell told eNCA that a local man approached their vehicle at the first intersection and warned Cameron to “be careful”.

Cameron noted this warning, but saw Schickerling was uneasy after the encounter.

Moments after crossing that same intersection, a brick was hurled through their vehicle window.

Gotsell described blacking out when a brick struck his head and suffering significant bleeding and lacerations. He was hospitalised following the attack but is not in critical condition.

Cameron sustained injuries to his lip and chin. He said he suffered broken teeth and was covered in blood. Cameron described the incident as “horrific”. He recounted attempting to fight back against the attackers who relentlessly threw bricks, and in self-defence, he fired his gun, though he was unsure if he hit anyone.

Cameron recounted: “They threw bricks at the vehicle. I managed to hit one of them, but they kept coming back. I tried fighting back, and when I looked at Nicholas, his body was on his lap. I took out my gun and shot. I am not sure if I hit anyone. The incident left me with broken teeth, and I had so much blood on my clothes.”

Schickerling was hit with a brick on the back of her head, according to Gotsell. However, another report stated she escaped unharmed.

Western Cape police confirmed one of the suspects was apprehended while seeking medical assistance for a gunshot wound, believed to have been sustained during the attack. 

The MPs confirmed they did not have security detail with them, explaining that unannounced visits are vital to their oversight work and bringing security would defeat their purpose. Furthermore, Gotsell stated they did not call for backup, acknowledging the existing strain and under-resourcing of the police service. 

Western Cape police have swiftly responded to the incident. Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed two arrests in connection with the attack.

An 18-year-old male was the first suspect to be apprehended on Tuesday evening. He sought medical assistance at a facility in Lentegeur and is currently under police guard in hospital.

A 16-year-old was arrested in Browns Farm in the early hours of Wednesday morning and has since been charged.

Police believe the attack was perpetrated by three suspects, and the search for the third individual is ongoing, with another arrest expected soon.

The suspects face serious charges of attempted murder and attempted hijacking. Western Cape provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile confirmed police received the report and that an ambulance was called to the scene.

He noted that while the motive for smash-and-grab incidents is typically robbery, hijacking, or theft, it is not yet known what, if anything, was stolen.

IOL 

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