Second teenager arrested after smash and grab on MPs in Philippi

Police in the Western Cape have confirmed the arrest of a second suspect after three Members of Parliament (MP) were attacked during a smash and grab in Cape Town. 

Portfolio Committee on Police Chairperson Ian Cameron, along with Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell, were travelling near the intersection of New Eisleben and Govan Mbeki Roads when suspects broke the windows of their vehicle and began throwing bricks at them.

The MPs are responsible for police oversight.  

The Western Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the two arrests. 

She said police worked through the night until the early hours of Wednesday morning when the second suspect, a 16-year-old was arrested in Browns Farm and has since been charged. 

“The first suspect, an 18-year-old male was apprehended on Tuesday evening as he sought medical assistance at a facility in Lentegeur. It is believed he was shot during the attack on the three victims when one of the vehicle occupants allegedly fired a shot in response to the attack. He is currently under police guard in hospital,” Potelwa said. 

She said initial reports indicate the attack was perpetrated by three suspects and another arrest is expected soon. 

“The suspects face attempted murder and attempted hijacking charges,” Potelwa said. 

On Tuesday, Cameron recounted the incident as horrific and explained how he fired a shot at the time, unsure if he hit anyone during the altercation. 

“They threw bricks at the vehicle. I managed to hit one of them, but they kept coming back. I tried fighting back, and when I looked at Nicholas, his body was on his lap. I took out my gun and shot. I am not sure if I hit anyone. The incident left me with broken teeth, and I had so much blood on my clothes,” he said. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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