Robbery attempt DA MPs leads to swift arrests after violent attack during oversight visit in Philippi. Image: Pixabay,
(ThePostNews) – The robbery attempt of Democratic Alliance (DA) Members of Parliament (MP) has led to the arrest of two suspects. The suspects, aged 18 and 16, ambushed DA MPs on Tuesday afternoon. The MPs were returning from an oversight visit at a police training facility.
The DA is one of South Africa’s major political parties. Its MPs play a vital role in overseeing government activities. Their visits to police training facilities aim to ensure law enforcement agencies uphold the rule of law and maintain public safety.
Attack on MPs During Oversight Visit
MPs Ian Cameron, Lisa Schickerling, and Nicholas Gotsell had just completed an unannounced inspection at the SAPS Philippi Training Academy when attackers targeted their vehicle. The suspects threw bricks, smashing the windows, and assaulted the passengers.
Gotsell suffered serious injuries and went to the hospital. Cameron also needed medical treatment, while Schickerling escaped with minor injuries.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Police arrested the first suspect, an 18-year-old man, on Tuesday evening after he sought treatment for a gunshot wound at a medical facility in Lentegeur. Reports say someone in the MPs’ vehicle fired back, wounding him. He remains under police guard in the hospital.
Meanwhile, police arrested the second suspect, a 16-year-old boy, on Wednesday morning in Browns Farm. Authorities continue investigating the robbery attempt on the MPs as both suspects stay in custody.
According to police, the suspects tried to hijack the MPs’ vehicle while they were leaving their oversight visit in Nyanga, Cape Town.
Parliament strongly condemned the attack, calling it a threat to the safety of elected officials and its oversight role. Officials warned that such crimes endanger public representatives and weaken Parliament’s constitutional duties.
Furthermore, law enforcement continues its investigation and vows to bring the perpetrators to justice. Parliament also expressed wishes for a full recovery to the injured MPs.
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email: Journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
About the Author
