Ian Cameron, along with two other members of parliament’s police committee, Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell, were returning from a work trip when their vehicle was ambushed in the township of Philippi on Tuesday. The assailants smashed the car’s windows with bricks, injuring Cameron and Gotsell.
The three Democratic Alliance MPs had conducted an unannounced visit to a police academy in Philippi when the attack occurred. Cameron, who chairs the police committee, told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that they were returning from an unannounced visit to a police academy in Philippi when “the first brick came through [the window]” on the driver’s side and hit him in the face.
Incident Details
Cameron, whose teeth were broken, retaliated by opening fire, injuring one of the attackers. The MP said he fired his legally licensed firearm in self-defense after realizing the severity of the situation facing all three committee members.
Cameron said that while he was trying to fend off his attacker, he saw his colleagues also face a barrage of attacks from the other assailants. “I realised that if we don’t do something, then this can go really go bad. So I did my best to act in self-defence with my firearm and then we sped off to the closest secure location,” he added.
The attack left Cameron with broken teeth and a cut lip, while Gotsell required brief hospitalization after being struck on the head. Schickerling was not reported to have sustained injuries during the incident.
Police Response and Arrests
Police said two teenagers, aged 16 and 18, have been arrested as they investigate a case of attempted murder and attempted hijacking. One of the suspects was apprehended while seeking medical treatment at a hospital on Tuesday, while another was arrested on a farm early Wednesday, police said, adding that a search is underway for a third suspect.
The suspect who sought medical treatment was the individual injured when Cameron fired his weapon during the attack. Police continue investigating the incident as both attempted murder and attempted hijacking cases.
Political Context
All three MPs belong to the Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest political party and a member of the current coalition government. The party said the attack showed how “out-of-control” crime is in South Africa.
Gotsell, speaking after being discharged from hospital, praised Cameron, saying he “acted with such bravery”. The incident occurred during official parliamentary business, as the three committee members were conducting oversight of police facilities in the area.
Crime Context in South Africa
Crime is a major problem in South Africa and the country has one of the highest murder rates in the world. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges facing public officials and citizens alike in the country.
In South Africa, it is legal to carry a firearm, so long as you have a licence. Cameron’s use of his licensed firearm during the attack was within the legal framework for self-defense in the country.
The attack on the three MPs occurred in Philippi, a township area of Cape Town known for high crime rates, where the officials had been conducting oversight of local police training facilities as part of their parliamentary duties.
