The Democratic Alliance (DA) has condemned an attempted robbery attack on three of its Members of Parliament during an oversight visit in Philippi on Tuesday afternoon.
MPs Ian Cameron, Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell were returning from an inspection at the police training college when their vehicle was targeted. Gotsell was struck on the head with a brick and hospitalised, but his condition is not critical. Cameron sustained minor injuries but managed to act in self-defence, preventing further harm.
DA Chief Whip in Parliament, George Michalakis, said the incident highlights the extent of South Africa’s crime crisis, which affects all citizens. “No South African is unaffected by crime. This is a portrayal of the out-of-control crime that South Africans face daily, and no one is exempt from it,” he said.
The DA has renewed its call for the Minister of Police to prioritise the resourcing of the SAPS in high-crime areas such as Philippi. The party expressed gratitude to the City of Cape Town Metro, the Western Cape provincial government, SAPS members who assisted, and the emergency medical teams for their swift response.
“We trust that law enforcement will bring the perpetrators to account, but urgent intervention is needed. The Minister must ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to crime-ridden areas to prevent future incidents and the loss of life,” Michalakis added.
All three MPs are now safe.
MPs Ian Cameron, Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell were returning from an inspection at the police training college when their vehicle was targeted. Gotsell was struck on the head with a brick and hospitalised, but his condition is not critical. Cameron sustained minor injuries but managed to act in self-defence, preventing further harm.
DA Chief Whip in Parliament, George Michalakis, said the incident highlights the extent of South Africa’s crime crisis, which affects all citizens. “No South African is unaffected by crime. This is a portrayal of the out-of-control crime that South Africans face daily, and no one is exempt from it,” he said.
The DA has renewed its call for the Minister of Police to prioritise the resourcing of the SAPS in high-crime areas such as Philippi. The party expressed gratitude to the City of Cape Town Metro, the Western Cape provincial government, SAPS members who assisted, and the emergency medical teams for their swift response.
“We trust that law enforcement will bring the perpetrators to account, but urgent intervention is needed. The Minister must ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to crime-ridden areas to prevent future incidents and the loss of life,” Michalakis added.
All three MPs are now safe.