Ian Cameron, Nicolas Godsell, and Lisa Schickerling were injured in a violent smash-and-grab attack in Philippi. (Image source: Ian Cameron's Facebook
By : Samane Jnr Marks
(The Post News) – Three Democratic Alliance (DA) MPs, Ian Cameron with Nicholas Gotsell and Lisa-Maré Schickerling, were attacked in a violent smash-and-grab incident in Philippi, Cape Town, after an oversight visit to the local police training academy on Tuesday afternoon.
While inside their vehicle, the MPs were ambushed by three vehicles. The MPs were ambushed by three assailants armed with bricks, who shattered the vehicle’s windows. Cameron sustained injuries to his chin and lip, Gotsell suffered a head laceration, and Schickerling escaped unharmed.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday morning, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, described the surprise oversight visit to the Philippi Police Training Academy as a harrowing ordeal following their violent attack. “The academy has been in the news for alleged corruption for some time,” Cameron explained.
”We conducted an unannounced visit yesterday, since our last visit a year ago with the police portfolio committee, to assess what improvements have been made and what not.” He said, compared to their previous visit, the facility appeared cleaner and better maintained. Reflecting further, Cameron painted the chaotic moment of the attack, “We were completely caught off guard.” Instinctively, I reached for my firearm to defend myself.”
Lightening the mood in the interview, he added a hint of humour, “I am not sure if it’s too soon for jokes, but they keep us sane. My colleague Lisa was shouting, ‘Shoot, shoot!’ and then next, ‘Drive, drive, drive!’ It was like having an instructor in the back of the vehicle; she was my commander.”
Cameroon expressed deep concern over Nicholas Gotsell’s injury. “He bled a lot, and when he fell forward onto his lap, I feared the situation was taking a dire turn,” he recalled. “Thankfully, we’re okay now, and Nicholas is receiving treatment.”
The chairperson praised the swift response from the authorities. “The police didn’t initially know we were MPs, but I was genuinely impressed by the Philippi East Station’s quick reaction, as well as the ambulance service.” The violent attack, strongly condemned by Parliament and the DA, highlights the rampant crime crisis gripping the Philippi area. It has called for strengthened policing in high-crime areas like Philippi.
According to the police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, the “16-year-old was nabbed in Browns Farm during the early hours of Wednesday morning,” she said. While the 18-year-old, who had sought medical assistance at a facility in Lenteguer, was detained on Tuesday night. Police are actively searching for a third suspect.
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