Two Cape Town teens arrested for attempted hijacking of Ian Cameron and his 2 colleagues

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police,Ian Cameron.

Storm Simpson/News24

Two teenagers have been arrested for an attack on police portfolio committee chairperson Ian Cameron and his two colleagues in Philippi. Police are searching for a third person,and another arrest is expected.Cameron sustained minor injuries during the attack. A second teenager has been arrested for the attempted hijacking of parliamentary police portfolio committee chairperson Ian Cameron and two other DA members.

Cameron,Nicholas Gotsell and Lisa-Maré Schickerling were leaving the Philippi police training academy on Tuesday when three men approached their vehicle and used bricks to smash at least three windows.

Gotsell was hospitalised. Cameron and Schickerling sustained minor injuries.

The first arrest in connection with the attempted hijacking was made on Tuesday night when an 18-year-old who was shot during the attack was traced after he sought medical attention at Lentegeur Hospital in Mitchells Plain.

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He has since been charged and is under police guard in the hospital.

The second arrest,that of a 16-year-old boy,was made in Browns Farm in the early hours of Wednesday.

The teens face attempted murder and attempted hijacking charges.

Another arrest is expected.

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Western Cape police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said: “Initial reports of the crime incident indicate the attack was perpetrated by three male suspects. The investigation continues with another arrest expected in due course.”

This afternoon,following an oversight visit at the Philippi SAPS training academy close to Philippi East,Nicholas Gotsell MP,Lisa Schickerling and I came under attack. We are all safe. Nick is receiving treatment,Lisa has a minir head injury,and I sustained some injuries,… pic.twitter.com/UJS62LmzcP

— Ian Cameron (@IanCameron23) August 19,2025

National police commissioner,General Fannie Masemola,said Serious Violent Crime Unit investigators were working around the clock to track down the third person.

He commended police for their swift response.

 “This criminal act,which targeted members of Parliament,is a direct attack on the safety of citizens and will not be tolerated. We are sending a stern warning to all those involved in serious and violent crimes.

“The SAPS has deployed all available resources to ensure that criminals are hunted down,apprehended,and put behind bars to face the full might of the law,” Masemola added.

He urged the public to stand together with the police by providing information that could lead to the arrest of the third person.

READ | Ian Cameron,colleagues escape hijack attempt after Philippi police academy visit

Cameron told News24 that the attackers ran off when he fired a shot at them.

He commended police for the swift arrests.

Philippi Community Policing Forum (CPF) spokesperson Dumisani Qwebe warned criminals attacking citizens that police would find them.

“It’s appalling that members of Parliament were attacked like this in our area. It is unacceptable and grave cause for concern,” he said.

“We are happy that police caught two suspects so far. We anticipate more arrests shortly. Criminals have no place here in the community,” he added.