Police have announced they anticipate further arrests after an 18-year-old suspect was taken into custody for the attempted robbery and assault of three Democratic Alliance (DA) Members of Parliament in Philippi on Tuesday. The attack left one parliamentarian with serious injuries.
The victims have been identified as Ian Cameron—the DA’s shadow minister of police and chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police—alongside his colleagues, MP Nicholas Gotsell and MP Lisa-Maré Schickerling. The group was returning from an oversight visit to a police training college in the area when the incident occurred.
According to authorities, the MPs were targeted in an attempted robbery. The confrontation turned violent, resulting in both Cameron and Gotsell being injured.
Gotsell sustained serious injuries during the altercation and was subsequently admitted to the hospital for treatment. Cameron received medical attention for minor injuries. Shickerling was reportedly unharmed.
In a statement, police confirmed the swift arrest of an 18-year-old male in connection with the attack. The suspect, whose identity has not been released due to his age, is currently under police guard in a hospital. The nature of his injuries was not disclosed.
The case has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s political landscape, highlighting ongoing concerns about violent crime. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement officials stating they are pursuing multiple leads and expect to make more arrests soon.
The DA has yet to release a full statement but is expected to address the incident later today.